Ottawa, December 11, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Statement from the Commissioner of Official Languages
following the death of the Honourable Jean-Robert Gauthier
The Commissioner of Official Languages, Graham Fraser, has paid tribute to the Honourable Jean-Robert Gauthier, who passed away yesterday.
“It is with much sadness that I learned that Jean-Robert Gauthier, a great parliamentarian, passed away yesterday. As a school board trustee, municipal councillor, member of Parliament and senator, he worked ardently and courageously for his constituents, for the Francophonie and for Canada,” Commissioner Fraser said.
“As a municipal councillor, Mr. Gauthier worked diligently for all citizens of Ottawa. In his role as a member of Parliament and senator, he was admired by many and respected by all,” Graham Fraser added. “As a journalist, I followed his career with much admiration. As Commissioner, I appreciated his advice as well as his commitment.”
“Jean-Robert Gauthier will hold an important place in the history of Francophones from Ontario and from across Canada. I invite all Canadians to pay tribute to him for his exemplary courage and for the role he played in the lives of people in his constituency, his province and his country. I mourn alongside all those who knew him, and I offer my most sincere condolences to his family,” Mr. Fraser concluded.
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To schedule an interview with the Commissioner today, please contact:
Anabel Lindblad
Media Relations
Telephone: 613-995-9070
Toll-free: 1-877-996-6368
