Honourable senators, I rise today to pay tribute to a great politician who devoted his life and career to advancing and defending Ontario’s French-speaking community. The Honourable Bernard Grandmaître, an exceptional Franco-Ontarian, passed away on October 28 at the Montfort Hospital at the age of 92. I attended his funeral service this morning at 11 a.m. at Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes church in Vanier.

Bernard Grandmaître is originally from Eastview, now known as Vanier, in the Ottawa area. He quickly became involved in municipal politics, first as an alderman for the City of Vanier from 1969 to 1974.

In 1974, he became mayor of Vanier and remained at that post for nearly 10 years. He officially entered provincial politics in 1984 as the MPP for Ottawa East. He then joined an English-dominated environment as Minister responsible for Francophone Affairs in David Peterson’s Liberal government. During his career in provincial politics, he served as Minister of Municipal Affairs and then Minister of Revenue.

As Ontario’s Minister responsible for Francophone Affairs, he played a key role in passing the French Language Services Act in 1986, which fundamentally changed the province’s linguistic landscape. He made such an important contribution that he became known as the father of the French Language Services Act. This act provided a legal and institutional foundation for a previously fragile francophone community, while strengthening the recognition and protection of francophone rights in Ontario. The act, which came into force on November 19, 1989, stipulated that the Government of Ontario and its service providers had to offer services in French in 25 designated regions.

The passage of this act was also part of a national unification effort at a time when the country was divided and Quebec was pursuing its quest for independence. Liberal Premier David Peterson, a francophile, gave Bernard Grandmaître the mission to pass this law.

The Honourable Bernard Grandmaître received many awards in recognition of his remarkable career and his contribution to the francophone community. He was awarded two honorary doctorates and made a member of the Ordre de la Pléiade and the Order of Canada. A rink in Vanier and a Catholic elementary school in Ottawa both bear his name. The Bernard Grandmaître Award, which is given out annually by the Association des communautés francophones d’Ottawa, seeks to recognize the outstanding contribution of an individual from Ottawa’s francophone community.

The Honourable Bernard Grandmaître was a man of values and principles, whose entire life and career were guised by integrity and determination. Reflecting his commitment, he exceeded expectations and faced adversity with courage, perseverance and determination. Ontario’s francophone community mourns his passing, but his memory lives on. His tangible contributions continue to promote francophone culture across the country.

He leaves behind his family, his sons, his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, his friends and everyone who had the privilege of working with him and witnessing his generosity of spirit and sharp mind.

His legacy, marked by commitment, resilience and passion for the francophone community, will continue to inspire and guide future generations. Bernard Grandmaître will forever remain an iconic figure whose memory will live on in the hearts of Franco-Ontarians.

Thank you.