Senators' Statements

Honourable senators, every nation and every people has its icons, inspiring personalities whose passion, talent and engagement are widely admired and who leave an indelible mark on the history of our societies. Today I wish to pay tribute to one such Canadian.

Jean-Guy Rioux, a great Acadian leader, passed away on January 18, 2017, leaving behind the legacy of his incredible accomplishments to his region, his province and his country.

Nelson Mandela said that "education is the strongest weapon which you can use to change the world." Jean-Guy Rioux embraced that ideal, championing it with conviction and determination all his life.

He was the cooperant in Africa for five years for the Canadian International Development Agency, but he was first and foremost a career teacher and actively participated in the establishment of the University of Moncton campus at Shippagan where he occupied many functions, one of which was vice-president.

During his time in that position, he contributed to the institution's mission by founding the Peat Research and Development Centre and the Marine Products Research and Development Centre, two institutions that later merged with the New Brunswick Aquarium and Marine Centre to become the Coastal Zones Research Institute.

A mentor for many of his fellow citizens, a pacifist and humanist, this great builder played an active role in the development of Canada's francophone and Acadian communities. Jean-Guy Rioux served as president of many organizations, including the Société nationale de l'Acadie, the Association canadienne d'éducation de langue française, and the Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne du Canada. He was chancellor of the Compagnie des Cents-Associés francophones and he served with distinction as the president of the fourth Congrès mondial acadien in 2009.

His work was recognized by the Conseil supérieur de la langue française du Québec, France's minister of national education, the Ordre de la Pléiade, and the Université de Moncton, which bestowed on him an honourary doctorate in social sciences.

A member of the Order of Canada, Mr. Rioux received the Order of New Brunswick in 2016 in recognition of his passion for and dedication to French-language education in his province and in Canada.

Beyond his monumental work in education and his steadfast social, cultural and political engagement, this exceptional visionary created lateral relationships and forged links with people of all origins and generations.

Honourable senators, the region where he was born is in the grips of an ice storm. For nine days, the citizens of the Acadian peninsula, to whom I want to pay tribute today as well, have shown courage, solidarity and mutual support; they honour the memory of the great man that was Jean-Guy Rioux.

I wish to offer my most sincere condolences to his wife, Paulette, and his daughter, Marie-Claude, two women who are deeply committed to the development of their communities. Thank you.