Montreal politician and actress Sonya Biddle dies after cancer diagnosis
Sonya Biddle, the Montreal politician, actress, and daughter of prominent jazz bassist Charlie Biddle, has died after being diagnosed with cancer.
The news of Biddle’s passing was shared by her longtime partner, Allan Patrick, on Facebook Thursday afternoon.
“My heart is broken,” he wrote. “She was always the sunshine, the light, the laughter and the love in my life.”
Biddle served on city council as a member of Vision Montreal for the Decarie district from 1998 to 2001 and ran for borough mayor of Cote-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grace in 2005.
Some who knew her expressed messages of condolences on social media after learning about her passing, calling her a "true community builder" who had a "big heart."
"In my many interactions with her on the 2005 Montreal election trail, although we represented different sides, her commitment, passion and humour were obvious," wrote Jeff Itcush on Facebook.
"She was such a sweet and fun-loving person," wrote Anthony Sherwood on Facebook. "My memories of Sonya was she enjoyed playing jokes on people and loved to laugh. She loved her family, music and her community. We will miss you Sonya. Rest in Power my sister."
Before entering politics, she appeared in films such as The Bone Collector (1999) and Sweet Killing (1993). She was active in the Montreal theatre scene and is honourary member of the Montreal Black Theatre Workshop.
Biddle’s father, Charlie, co-founded the jazz venue Biddle’s Jazz Ribs in 1981. The club, later renamed House of Jazz by Oliver Jones, closed in 2020 as a result of the pandemic.
In his post to social media, Biddle’s partner called her a “super nova,” adding that “the light and warmth that she generated will light our paths forever.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canada's most wanted fugitive arrested in P.E.I. in connection with Toronto homicide
A suspect in a fatal shooting in Toronto’s east end last summer has been arrested in Charlottetown, just one week after he topped a list of Canada’s most wanted fugitives.
BREAKING Federal employees will be required to spend 3 days a week in the office
Starting in September, public servants in the core public administration will be required to work in the office a minimum of three days a week. The Treasury Board Secretariat says executives will need to be in the office four days per week.
Concerns about plexiglass prompt inspections at some Loblaws locations in Ottawa
Inspections are underway at more than one Loblaws location in Ottawa after complaints were filed about tall plexiglass barriers.
Plane overshoots runway at airport in St. John's, N.L., no injuries reported
Investigators from the Transportation Safety Board of Canada are headed to St. John's, N.L., after a plane overshot a runway at the city's airport this afternoon.
Poilievre unrepentant over calling Trudeau 'wacko' as his MPs say Speaker should resign
An unrepentant Pierre Poilievre returned to the House of Commons on Wednesday to pepper the prime minister about his drug decriminalization policies after being booted the day prior for refusing to take back calling Justin Trudeau 'wacko' over his approach to the issue.
Five human skeletons, missing hands and feet, found outside house of Nazi leader Hermann Göring
Archeologists have unearthed the skeletons of five people, missing their hands and feet, at a former Nazi military base in Poland.
Toddler of Phoenix first responder dies after bounce house goes airborne
A two-year-old child died after a strong gust of wind sent the bounce house he was in airborne and into a neighbouring lot in central Arizona, the Pinal County Sheriff's Office said.
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh confirms his party will support the Liberals' federal budget
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says his party will support the federal budget, ending any speculation that the party could pull out of its deal with the minority Liberal government.
Dental care program accepting claims for 1 million seniors
Citizens' Services Minister Terry Beech says 1,200 seniors have already visited a dentist and had their claims processed by the federal government's new dental care plan.