OTTAWA – The Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne (FCFA) du Canada is deeply saddened to learn that former Senator Jean-Robert Gauthier passed away last night. The FCFA remembers a man of commitment, vision and passion who gave the best of himself for the defence and promotion of French not only in Ontario but across the country.
“We remember how an ill but determined Jean-Robert Gauthier participated in the great mobilization of Franco-Ontarians against the closure of Montfort Hospital in March 1997,” says FCFA president Marie-France Kenny. “We remember how in the Senate, he defended version upon version of the bill he had introduced to ensure that the Official Languages Act became, as he said so well, a guard dog and not a lap dog. Those are unforgettable images of the kind of man he was.”
The FCFA is dedicated to continue Senator Gauthier's work and deploy every effort to ensure the full implementation of the Official Languages Act. “The new Section VII of the Act, which includes the obligation for federal institutions to take positive measures to support the development of official language minority communities, is one of the Senator's legacies. We will stop at nothing to see that this is fully implemented,” promises Ms. Kenny.
The FCFA wishes to convey its deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Senator Gauthier. “Even if we knew about Mr. Gauthier’s declining health, his passing is still a shock. I want to express my sincere condolences to his wife Monique, his children and all those who are remembering this man who did so much for Canada,” says Ms. Kenny.
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“We remember how an ill but determined Jean-Robert Gauthier participated in the great mobilization of Franco-Ontarians against the closure of Montfort Hospital in March 1997,” says FCFA president Marie-France Kenny. “We remember how in the Senate, he defended version upon version of the bill he had introduced to ensure that the Official Languages Act became, as he said so well, a guard dog and not a lap dog. Those are unforgettable images of the kind of man he was.”
The FCFA is dedicated to continue Senator Gauthier's work and deploy every effort to ensure the full implementation of the Official Languages Act. “The new Section VII of the Act, which includes the obligation for federal institutions to take positive measures to support the development of official language minority communities, is one of the Senator's legacies. We will stop at nothing to see that this is fully implemented,” promises Ms. Kenny.
The FCFA wishes to convey its deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Senator Gauthier. “Even if we knew about Mr. Gauthier’s declining health, his passing is still a shock. I want to express my sincere condolences to his wife Monique, his children and all those who are remembering this man who did so much for Canada,” says Ms. Kenny.
The FCFA is a national organization that includes Francophone representative associations of nine provinces and the three territories, as well as ten national organizations. Its role is to defend and promote the rights and interests of the French-Speaking population outside Quebec.