Family, friends, colleagues and political adversaries gathered Monday for a visitation for former Quebec premier Bernard Landry at Montreal’s Notre-Dame Basilica.
His casket, draped in the provincial flag, was carried in by a police procession early Monday morning.
READ MORE: Visitation held for former Quebec premier Bernard Landry in Quebec City
Pascale Landry, his daughter, said she was touched by the condolences her family has received from across Quebec.
“The wave of sympathy surprised and shocked me a lot but comforted me,” she said.
“And what I like to see is that there are people from all walks of life who have shown us their sympathy.”
Landry was a prominent figure in Quebec’s sovereignty movement for half a century, serving as the province’s premier from 2001 to 2003.
He died last week at the age of 81 at his home in Verchères.
Landry held many prominent government posts, including deputy premier and finance minister, before assuming power in 2001 after Lucien Bouchard resigned as premier.
WATCH: Bernard Landry remembered by Quebec Premier François Legault
As premier, he served two years before being defeated in the April 2003 election by Jean Charest’s Liberals.
He will be remembered for his strong economic vision for the province.
“(Landry) and Jacques Parizeau gave economic credibility to the sovereignist movement,” said Charest.
READ MORE: Former Quebec premier Bernard Landry dead at 81
Gilles Duceppe, the former head of the Bloc Québécois, marvelled at Landry’s long list of accomplishments.
“When I saw the total sum of his achievements, I asked myself ‘How is that possible?'”
Visitation was also held in Quebec City on Saturday as his body lay in state at the provincial legislature.
WATCH BELOW: Bernard Landry dead at 81
Parti Québécois (PQ) interim leader Pascal Bérubé said he hopes the longtime politician’s death will be a rallying cry for all those who dream of an independent Quebec.
“The best tribute we can pay him is to be faithful to his commitment, to be faithful to the dream of youth he had for Quebec, and that we continue to carry,” he said.
READ MORE: Funeral details released for Bernard Landry
Landry leaves behind his wife, Chantal Renaud, and three children from a previous marriage.
A state funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Notre-Dame Basilica.
— With files from the Canadian Press.
Comments