Paul Gérin-Lajoie, 1920-2018

With Quebec preparing to pay its last respects to M. Gérin-Lajoie at the state funeral, Druide extends its sincerest condolences to the family and friends of this exceptional man. Having first trained as a lawyer, he contributed to the founding of Quebec’s Ministry of Education in 1964, also serving as its first minister. His most notable achievements include free compulsory education up to 16 years, the creation of polyvalente schools, and a system of higher-education loans and bursaries. He also created the foundation that bears his name, as well as the famous Dictée PGL which Druide has supported since 2006. This year the Dictée has once again brought the joys of the French language to hundreds of thousands of school children in both Canada and Africa. A passionate defender of education and literacy, Paul Gérin-Lajoie made it his life’s work to improve access to knowledge throughout the French-speaking world.