Honourable senators, former Senator Jean Bazin passed away on December 12.

Mr. Bazin received his law degree from Laval University in 1964, making him a member of that famous class that includes so many people who influenced Quebec society in the decades that followed, such as Brian Mulroney, Lucien Bouchard and our former colleague Pierre De Bané. Mr. Bazin was then admitted to the Barreau du Québec in 1965. He was appointed Queen’s Council in 1984 and he was awarded the prestigious title of Advocatus Emeritus by the Barreau du Québec in 2011.

Jean Bazin began his career as a lawyer in 1965 at the Montreal law firm Byers Casgrain, now known as Dentons. He continued to practice law there until he died. He helped many Quebec businesses to grow by always providing them with sound advice. He also acted as an arbitrator in commercial matters and as a mediator in several areas.

As president of the Young Bar of Montreal from 1970 to 1971, he set up the Bureau de l’assistance judiciaire du Barreau de Montréal, which is now known as Aide juridique. He was the administrator of many societies and associations, including the Canadian Unity Council, the Laurentian Bank , and the Société générale de financement et Investissement Québec.

What is more, Mr. Bazin was always involved in politics, particularly as part of the Conservative Party. Mr. Bazin campaigned tirelessly in the barren wilderness that Quebec represented for the Conservative Party in the 1960s and 1970s. He played an essential role in helping his friend Brian Mulroney take office. Even last summer, he loyally participated in our party’s activities.

From 1986 to 1989, he served in the Senate as a Conservative. He was the Deputy Chair of the Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and a member of various other senate committees.

Today, I want to pay tribute to Jean Bazin, the brilliant lawyer and former senator, as well as to the man who was a friend and mentor, who willingly took me under his wing when I was a young political organizer. He always supported me in my political career and my professional life.

I want to thank Mr. Bazin for his devotion to building Quebec and Canada. I want to thank him for his unwavering support for the Conservative Party and its ideas. Lastly, I want to thank him for his advice and support.

Honourable colleagues, please join me in paying tribute to Jean Bazin and extending our sincere condolences to his loved ones. Thank you.