Flags at the National Assembly have been lowered to half-staff to honour Claude Bechard.
The former agriculture Minister, who resigned his position as an MNA hours before his death on Tuesday, will be given a state funeral in La Pocatiere, a largest town in his riding, on Saturday morning.
A book of condolences will also be opened at the National Assembly, and a website has been set up for members of the public to offer their sympathies to Bechard's family. Condolences can be offered here.
Bechard, 41, died Tuesday afternoon after a battle with pancreatic cancer. He was minister of agriculture, fisheries and food, as well as being responsible for the Lower St. Lawrence region and deputy house leader.
Responsible until the end
He announced via a written statement on Tuesday that he was resigning his post as MNA for Kamouraska-Temiscouata effective immediately.
Hours later he succumbed to pancreatic cancer.
Bechard was diagnosed and treated for the disease in 2008, but in January of this year was hospitalized for ten days and required emergency surgery for another tumour.
Claude Bechard was until recently seen as a potential successor to Premier Jean Charest. In his final public statement, Bechard thanked Quebecers for their support in his battle with cancer.
"It has been a grand honour and a true pleasure to serve the people of Quebec," wrote Bechard.
He received his last rites several days earlier in a Quebec City hospital.
Respected in politics, loved by all
Bechard was well known for his love of politics, and he was extremely reluctant to give up his position despite his diagnosis.
His positive attitude, personal popularity and close friendship with Jean Charest convinced the premier to keep him in the cabinet during a recent ministerial shuffle, despite multiple and lengthy convalescent stays in hospital and at home.
"Claude is a colleague I've always admired for his determination and passion," Charest said in a statement.
"But he is above all a precious friend who was a marvellous brother-in-arms with such a good heart. His years with the government of Quebec featured a number of achievements. His contributions were widely noted, and were remarkable.
Between 2008 and 2010 Bechard was on leave for close to 12 full months.
Bechard was first elected at age 28 as MNA for Kamouraska-Temiscouata during a 1997 by-election.
He held the seat ever since, and many say the reason the riding has become a Liberal stronghold is because Bechard was impossible to dislike.
He had been in cabinet since 2003, holding the posts of employment minister, family minister, and minister of economic development.
One of the pillars of the Liberal party and known for giving good interviews, Bechard was frequently sent out to represent the party during question period and media scrums.
"He was young. He had an extraordinary sense of humour. He had a very lively mind and was extremely bright, and very versatile. He was the kind of minister in a government able to accomplish several types of responsibilities, which isn't given to every individual. He could be a troubleshooter when needed, someone who could go in and fix things," said Charest
Even those who clashed with Bechard across the floor respected him as a politician.
"Claude Bechard is a valiant companion," said ADQ chief Gerard Deltell hours before Bechard's death.
"Claude has a fiery spirit, he's proud of his positions and he defends them with pugnacity."
With files from the Canadian Press
