Honourable senators, it is with deep emotion that I rise today to pay tribute to a great Quebecer, a great Canadian and a pioneer whose legacy will be forever inscribed in the annals of our democracy: the Honourable Lise Bacon.

Born in Valleyfield in 1934 and raised in Trois-Rivières, she grew up in a home where social justice and freedom of thought were fundamental values. In an era marked by the “great darkness,” she learned at a very young age to take a stand, to refuse to accept injustice and to assert her rightful place as a woman.

By the age of 17, Lise Bacon was already a Liberal activist, and at age 19, she became the treasurer of the Association des femmes libérales Louis Saint-Laurent. This marked the beginning of an exceptional career path that would lead her to the highest echelons of government, after a meteoric rise within the Quebec Liberal Party.

As the first woman elected president of a political party in Canada, the second woman elected to the Quebec National Assembly after Claire Kirkland-Casgrain, and the first woman to assume the role of deputy premier of Quebec, Ms. Bacon broke glass ceilings with an admirable grace and strength.

After being elected to the Quebec National Assembly in 1973, she headed up several key ministries, including the ministries of the environment, immigration, cultural affairs and regional development. She championed vital causes, such as the promotion of the French language and the recognition of artists. The Valenti-Bacon agreement, which requires a French version of any American film distributed in Quebec, is a testament to her fierce determination to protect our culture.

As environment minister, her work to harmonize government actions on the St. Lawrence River is one of her most enduring legacies. She was always a staunch and passionate advocate for Quebec, vigorously defending its interests both at home and on the international stage during her many missions.

When Premier Bourassa had to take leave for medical treatment in 1990, she discreetly but skilfully ensured the stability and continuity of the government.

Many observers flat out said that she had all the qualities to become premier.

After being appointed to the Senate in 1994, she continued her work with the same dedication, diligently chairing the Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications, the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets, and Administration, and the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs, while providing inspiring leadership as deputy chair of the Quebec Liberal Caucus.

Honourable senators, today we pay tribute to an exceptional stateswoman, a great woman who devoted her whole life to progress, equality and justice. May her example guide future generations of political leaders, and may her memory inspire all those who wish to serve our great country with honour, passion and dedication.

May she rest in peace.

Honourable senators, I rise on behalf of the Independent Senators Group to pay tribute to the Honourable Lise Bacon following her passing on October 29, 2025, at the age of 91.

Senator Lise Bacon shaped our country with courage, intelligence and humanity. She grew up in a time when certain doors never opened, especially for women. In 1970, she became the first female president of a political party in Canada. Three years later, she was elected to Quebec’s National Assembly, becoming one of the pioneers who opened the door to Quebec politics for women. In 1985, she became the deputy premier of Quebec, a position no woman had ever held before.

As a minister, she held several different portfolios, including cultural affairs, the environment, energy and resources. She crafted the Bacon plan, Quebec’s first child care policy, which laid the groundwork for the universal child care network.

Throughout her career, she was a stalwart advocate for the Charter of the French Language, the environment, energy, regional development, the cultural and social rights of creators and, above all, women’s place in society.

Her commitment continued in the Senate for more than 15 years, during which she made a mark on this chamber with her humanity and vision. Lise Bacon taught us that power is never a destination, but rather a responsibility in the service of a more just society. She showed that it is possible to govern with conviction while remaining attentive to others and faithful to the common good.

Those who knew her remember her warmth, her willingness to listen and her ability to bring out the best in everyone. Her home was always open to her loved ones, as well as to her colleagues from all walks of life, who found advice and solidarity there. She had a gift for seeing the beauty in everyone, defending the most vulnerable and raising important issues without ever forgetting the power of a kind word or the significance of a simple gesture.

We remember the paths she forged and the courage she showed, inspiring our collective strength. May we, in turn, cultivate the same generosity of spirit and carry on her legacy with the same conviction.

To my dear friend, the Honourable Lise Bacon, thank you for lighting up this place with your warmth, your compassion and your unshakable faith in the future. Your legacy will live on forever. Thank you, colleagues. Meegwetch.

Honourable senators, I rise today on behalf of the Canadian Senators Group to pay tribute to a prominent figure in Quebec and Canadian society, the Honourable Lise Bacon.

Lise Bacon embodied excellence, rigour and dedication. Throughout her career, Ms. Bacon demonstrated a deep commitment to justice and the collective well-being. During her years of service in Robert Bourassa’s government, she worked tirelessly to advance the interests of Quebecers. Her time as minister of cultural affairs was particularly noteworthy. She was one of the architects behind the Valenti-Bacon agreement, which requires every American film distributed in the province to be available in French.

Let’s not forget that the many positions she held throughout her career were rarely, if ever, held by women. As my colleagues mentioned, Ms. Bacon was the second woman elected to the National Assembly, the first woman elected as president of a political party in Canada, and the first woman to serve as deputy premier of Quebec.

Her exemplary career paved the way for women in public life. Back in 1973, Ms. Bacon was the only woman elected to the National Assembly, but women now account for about 45% of all elected officials in the National Assembly, more than ever before in Quebec. Our society owes her a great deal.

Mrs. Bacon was not just involved in national politics. As a senator, she forged closer ties with our allies, particularly France. For eight years, Senator Bacon chaired the Canada-France Inter-Parliamentary Association. In recognition of her outstanding work, France appointed her to the rank of Officer of the Legion of Honour in October 2003.

Although we were both members of the same political party in Quebec and we both served as ministers and, of course, as senators, I did not have the opportunity to work closely with Mrs. Bacon, so I will quote two friends who knew her well: John Parisella, former chief of staff to Robert Bourassa, and Guy Ouellette, the former member of Parliament for Chomedey, who is here with us today.

In an interview with The Globe and Mail, John Parisella, former chief of staff to Mr. Bourassa, said that Lise Bacon:

. . . had a very close collaboration with the premier and played the game of being an opponent. She was a person who knew what she wanted to say, rather than asking what others wanted her to say.

In his tribute to Mrs. Bacon last week at her funeral, my former colleague Guy Ouellette said:

It is often said that some people lead the movement while others follow, but Lise Bacon was part of the very small group who came up with the movement in the first place. She sowed the seeds of courage, broke down barriers and gave a voice to the voiceless. Her voice resonates, soft and strong, in the chambers of our memory.

On behalf of the Canadian Senators Group, thank you very much, Mrs. Bacon, for your outstanding contribution to Quebec and Canadian society.

Honourable senators, on behalf of the Progressive Senate Group, I would also like to pay tribute to the late Honourable Lise Bacon.

Listening to her career highlights, it is no wonder that the term “trailblazer” is synonymous with her name. As we have heard, the Honourable Lise Bacon not only paved the way, particularly for women in politics, but also helped encourage others to follow her through the doors that she opened. This kind of mentorship and leadership helped shape her career as a fierce and loyal public servant, determined to do her best to improve the lives of Quebecers and, indeed, all Canadians.

Though she was a well-respected member of this chamber from 1994 to 2009, most of us, including myself, did not have the privilege of serving with her. The Honourable Dennis Dawson, my former deputy leader, did have that privilege, and he shared these words on the passing of his former colleague and friend:

Mrs. Bacon left a lasting mark on my life and career.

She welcomed me to the executive of the Quebec Liberal Party in the 1970s, and then again to the Senate in 2005.

At both stages, she was for me a source of inspiration and a model of dedication.

Within the Quebec Liberal Party, I witnessed her leadership and her rigor.

In the Senate, I had the privilege of working alongside her on the Transport Committee, which she chaired with skill and humanity.

I then had the honour of succeeding her as chair, striving to carry on her work with the same sense of duty.

I owe her much — for her advice, her trust, and her example.

Today, a great woman has left us, but her influence lives on in our institutions and in our hearts.

Thank you, Mrs. Bacon, for all you contributed to public life and to those fortunate enough to have known you.

Honourable senators, on behalf of the Progressive Senate Group, I offer sincere condolences to the family and friends of the late Honourable Lise Bacon. Wela’lin. Thank you.

Honourable senators, please join me in rising for a minute of silence in memory of the Honourable Lise Bacon.