MONTREAL — Former Quebec premier Jacques Parizeau has been hospitalized because of a drop in blood pressure brought on by exhaustion.
Mr. Parizeau is in stable condition and under observation, says a statement issued Tuesday evening by Montreal’s Jewish General Hospital.
The statement said Mr. Parizeau, 79, was admitted to hospital on Monday.
“The Parizeau family asks that their privacy be respected and will not be offering any interviews to the media,” the statement said.
The statement added a medical update will be issued within 24 hours.
“Mr. Parizeau and his family wish to express their appreciation to the staff of the Jewish General Hospital for their excellent care,” the statement said.
Mr. Parizeau was last seen last week when he attended a meeting at Parti Quebecois headquarters in Montreal. Officials said he seemed fine at the time.
Mr. Parizeau has had health problems in the past. He was hospitalized for a week in Quebec City in May 2007 for what was described as a minor problem.
His wife, Lisette Lapointe, who is the provincial member for the north-end Montreal riding of Cremazie, refused at the time to disclose the problem.
Mr. Parizeau has had back problems after a serious fall in the African country of Mali a few years ago, and now walks with a cane. He has gained weight since resigning as premier in 1995, a day after the Yes forces he led narrowly lost Quebec’s second sovereignty referendum.
He has breathing difficulties at times.
His last major public function was in November when he launched a new book, La Souverainte du Quebec, Hier, aujourd’hui et demain. The book caused a flurry, showing the former leader still can command media attention.
At the book launch, Mr. Parizeau insisted that despite waning support for the idea of sovereignty, the fervour would one day return.
“Some still have apprehensions . . . but fewer then before,” Mr. Parizeau said at the Nov. 16 book launch. “So it’s worth saying to each other, “˜Let’s try again.’”
Montreal Gazette
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