Statement by the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, on the Death of Gil Courtemanche

OTTAWA, August 20, 2011 - I was saddened to learn of the death of Gil Courtemanche. 

A journalist and international politics analyst, Mr. Courtemanche worked for Radio-Canada and the newspaper Le Soleil. He was also a columnist with Le Devoir. In 1998, he received the National Magazine Award for Political Reporting. 

As a writer, Mr. Courtemanche reached a large audience that was moved by his work. His first novel, A Sunday at the Pool in Kigali, recounted the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. This work was widely distributed, translated into 23 languages, and made into a film. It earned its author several awards, including the Prix des libraires du Québec. 

Mr. Courtemanche also wrote Une belle mort (2005), which was adapted for the screen as La Dernière Fugue, and Je ne veux pas mourir seul (2010). 

Throughout his career, Mr. Courtemanche ardently defended the values of social justice and respect for international human rights. On behalf of Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the Government of Canada, I offer my sincere condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Gil Courtemanche.

For more information (media only), please contact:

Sébastien Gariépy
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
and Official Languages
819-997-7788