Quebec minister loses battle against cancer

QUEBEC – Quebec cabinet minister Claude Bechard lost his battle Tuesday against the toughest opponent he has ever faced: pancreatic cancer.

The 41-year-old Bechard chose to work until the very end despite a recurrence of his cancer.

The news of his death came out just a few hours after he announced his resignation as minister for Agriculture and Intergovernmental Affairs and representative for the riding of Kamouraska-Temiscouata.

A promising politician, Bechard was seen as potential successor to Quebec premier and Liberal Leader Jean Charest until recently when his illness progressed.

Charest, who is a close friend of Bechard ever since he co-chaired his leadership campaign in 1998, paid a very emotional tribute to Bechard before his death was confirmed.

Even though Bechard’s cancer had progressed, Charest was clinging on to hope.

"Miracles can happen . . . you never know," he said, fighting back tears.

He hailed Bechard’s determination and courage throughout his career and especially during the last few months of his life.

Bechard was first diagnosed in 2008 after doctors discovered a malignant growth in his intestines while performing a hernia operation.

The cancer returned earlier this year but Bechard came back to work in June – visibly emaciated.

Bechard said he wanted to return to work even though he had not fully recovered in the hope it would send a message to other cancer patients to keep fighting.

"When he returned to work in June I had real apprehensions about him returning. But he felt so strongly about coming back in the last few months and being with his colleagues. Politics was his whole life, it was what he felt the most strongly about. His extended family was there," said an emotional Charest.

He noted Bechard was the kind of minister who could tackle any file and was a good troubleshooter.

The premier’s office said late Tuesday he would not make any more comment on Bechard’s passing.

His fellow ministers were shaken by the news and many of them declined to publicly comment.

Former Quebec premier Daniel Johnson, for whom Bechard served as a political adviser before running for office, described him as a political beast.

"I’m devastated by his quick passing," he told RDI network. "He had a brilliant career and was totally devoted to politics. I will miss him greatly," he added.

Parti Quebecois Leader Pauline Marois paid tribute to Bechard’s fighting spirit in and out of the political ring.

"He was in love with his job and he was totally devoted to his constituents. The national assembly was undeniably a second home for him who loved the parliamentary sparring," Marois said in a statement. "He was combative until the end ( . . . ) and we need to hail his courage."

In a statement issued Tuesday, Bechard thanked his constituents and colleagues who stood by him.

"I especially want to thank the premier, my friend, Mr. Jean Charest, who always had faith in me and with whom it was a great honour and a real pleasure to serve the people of Quebec," Bechard said.

Bechard, a father of two children and stepfather to his wife’s two children, was first elected in the riding of Kamouraska-Temiscouata in 1997.