On the anniversary of the crash that killed Jean Lapierre, Montreal announced it will name a square or park after the politician and political commentator.

Mayor Denis Coderre made the announcement Wednesday morning, saying the city's toponymy commission will choose a location in Outremont.

Later in the day, members of the National Assembly rose for a minute of silence to commemorate Lapierre's death one year ago.

They also spoke of his joie de vivre, his colourful contributions to Quebec society, and his ability to bridge the gap between the francophone and anglophone communities.

“He was a happy guy, and a funny guy and I cannot imagine that he's not he there anymore,” said CAQ Leader Francois Legault.

“Jean Lapierre was part of our lives,” added PQ Leader Jean-Francois Lisee. “Especially if you were in politics, he was an essential voice. You didn't always agree with him, but he was always relevant, interesting, made politics interesting for hundreds of thousands of people. He is missed.”

MNAs also discussed the possibility of naming a stretch of provincial highway Route 112 after Lapierre in Shefford, an area where he lived for many years.

“He was very, very credible and part of the family for all Quebecers, so it's still a sad day that we remember today and I'm sure his memory will live on. How we will commemorate his name is something to discuss, but certainly we will find a way,” said Premier Philippe Couillard.

 

Lapierre was elected as the MP for Outremont in 2004, running as a Liberal in the urban riding 25 years after he was first elected as the MP for Shefford.

CAQ MNA Francois Bonnardel said he liked the idea of naming the road after Lapierre.

“To name a part of the Route 112. He was elected four times in Granby, in Shefford, 1979 to 1982. So, I hope that we can name a part of this road, 60 kilometres of this road, Route Jean Lapierre,” he said.

Lapierre was also a founding member of the Bloc Quebecois, and spent years hosting radio programs before returning to politics.

After 2007 he was a frequent political commentator with multiple media companies, including CTV Montreal.

Lapierre and several members of his family, along with two pilots, died on March 29, 2016 when their small plane crashed while descending for a landing in the Iles de la Madeleine.

The local library there is being named after Jean Lapierre, who always took pride in talking about his roots there.