Hundreds of people paid their last respects to Denise Bombardier – Radio-Canada.ca

A ceremony honoring columnist Denise Bombardier, who died ten days ago from cancer, was held at the Saint-Viateur Church in Outremont, Montreal, on Friday evening. Hundreds of people gathered for the final farewell.

Several public figures will be present at the ceremony, including Quebec Premier François Legault.

The flag of Quebec’s state legislature flies at half-staff on Friday night.

“Today we honor a great Quebecer, Denise Bombardier, who has done a lot to make Quebecers even more proud to be Quebecers and to have self-confidence,” said the Commander-in-Chief on the steps of the church.

She explained to us that we should not be afraid to defend the French language and ensure that new immigrants integrate into the nation of Quebec. […] We say a big thank you for what she has done. We also lose a funny person who was nice to be with. It’s a bit sad that this energetic woman isn’t here anymore; it was very fast. “Two months ago she was in great shape,” added Mr. Legault.

It’s important to pay tribute and say goodbye to someone who has contributed a lot for Quebec, added PQ boss Paul St-Pierre Plamondon.

He was someone who had the courage to speak his mind; She assumed that she would participate in the public debate.

“I hope his legacy will be marked by intellectual debates where people can disagree but express their opinions with respect,” continued Mr. St-Pierre Plamondon. This is a democracy.

We started working together in Georges Groulx’s studio [un acteur de théâtre]; we were 19 years old. And she made a mistake! launched actress Louise Latraverse.

Or am I the one who made a mistake! added the one who said in a sobbing voice that she had come to pay homage to her [son] Friend. […] We laughed a lot together.

Other dignitaries include businessman Pierre Karl Péladeau, TV presenter Jean-Luc Mongrain, former Liberal leader Jean Charest and former journalist and former Liberal MP Christine St-Pierre.

Hundreds of people paid their last respects to Denise Bombardier0:44

A few hours before Denise Bombardier was honored, we were busy with the final preparations.

Before the ceremony, Rodger Brulotte, famous sports commentator, wanted to commemorate a friend’s memory.

“The death of Denise Bombardier hurts me,” he said. For what? For many years I argued with her; We had some great discussions about Francophonie and the English language. And it was so important, the French language, both for her and for me.

We just lost a woman who believed in us and thought it important that we speak French.

According to Rodger Brulotte, what should we remember about Denise Bombardier? Not afraid to express myself when I believe in my ideas. It’s the hardest part, but so real, he says.

People gathered in front of a church.

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Several people gathered in front of the Saint-Viateur church in Outremont, where the ceremony will take place.

Photo: Radio Canada / Danielle Kadjo

A public ceremony

His son Guillaume Sylvestre spoke a few words at the beginning of the ceremony.

A concert followed until 6 p.m. when the body of Mrs. Bombardier left the church.

Her loved ones will remember her for her extraordinary strength, spirit and great sense of humor which she will have had to the last hour, we can read in the obituary.

From Justin Trudeau to François Legault, including senator and ex-journalist Julie Miville-Dechêne, several political, cultural and media figures have, after her death, highlighted Ms. Bombardier’s eloquence and courage, as well as his ability to provoke a clash of ideas.

With information from The Canadian Press