Esteemed colleagues, on December 30, Manitoba’s francophone community lost one of its shining lights. Today I would like to honour the memory of Lucienne Boucher, née Gélinas, who passed away peacefully at home.

To me and to many others, Lucienne Boucher was a remarkable woman. She was engaged, strong, unpretentious and generous. She had a great sense of humour and a naturally optimistic outlook. People appreciated her authenticity, candour, analytical skills and joie de vivre. She also had nerves of steel. Those characteristics made her a respected police officer, an exceptional mother, and a much-admired mover and shaker in Manitoba’s francophone community.

Born in Saint-Pierre-Jolys, Lucienne Boucher spent her career with the Winnipeg Police Force, which was one of the first police services in Canada to hire women as officers. Lucienne was one of the first eight women hired and the first francophone. In 1959, she took a job with the emergency call centre and later became a police officer with the vice squad. She capped her law enforcement career investigating young offenders. She was a trailblazer for women in her community.

Lucienne Boucher was also a courageous mother. She married Dr. Joseph Boucher from Sainte Anne, who had been widowed for a number of years. She took his seven young children under her wing. All seven are actively involved in the francophonie today.

This staunch advocate worked at community organizations such as Francofonds, the Flavie-Laurent Centre, the Franco-Manitoban seniors’ federation, the refugee assistance committee and the Théâtre Cercle Molière. In 2004, she was awarded the Prix Réseau for her contribution to the development of Manitoba’s francophone community.

Lucienne Boucher had a passion for politics and was an activist. Her intervention in Manitoba’s linguistic crisis of September 1983 showcased her intelligence and nerves of steel. She spoke at public hearings to set the record straight and call the provincial government to task on linguistic rights. Her message to the Pawley government was that the time for fear and complacency was over. The history of linguistic rights in Manitoba can attest to that.

Lucienne often reminded us that political and social mobilization gives life to our rights. The community has to remain engaged and active to guarantee the survival and equality of our language and ensure that political leadership helps us get there.

Thank you, Lucienne Boucher. Rest assured that your voice will always be heard.