Parent was a physical education teacher before leading the Syndicat de Champlain for two decades.
Réjean Parent, former president of the Centrale des syndicats du Québec (CSQ), died Wednesday. He was 71 years old.
Parent obtained a bachelor’s degree in science, physical education options from the University of Montreal in 1975. Upon his graduation and until 1980, he was a physical education teacher within the Commission scolaire des Patriotes.
“In addition to his long activist career within our union organization and at the central office, Réjean Parent continued his involvement in retirement. We thank him for having participated in Quebec social debates, particularly those affecting education, throughout his life,” the brief statement from the union reads.
He was also involved in the Fonds de solidarité FTQ in addition to sitting on the premier’s committee on public finances and the Gervais committee on access to the same quality of education throughout Quebec.
After his time at the CSQ, Parent chaired the board of directors of the Centre de transfert pour la réussite éducative du Québec (CTREQ).
Until recently, he wrote columns for Le Journal de Montréal. His last was published on July 10.
According to TVA Nouvelles, Parent was “suddenly hospitalized due to health problems. He was then transferred to intensive care.”
Several tributes to Parent were posted to X.
Éric Gingras, the current president of the CSQ, wrote via the union account: “Réjean Parent, former president of the CSQ 2003-2012, left his mark on the Quebec union landscape. His commitment from the outset, particularly in terms of education, had a profound impact on our society.”
Quebec Labour Minister Jean Boulet said he was saddened by Parent’s death. “An ardent defender of union causes, he was also a great supporter of social dialogue and contributed through his involvement, notably to the Commission des partenaires du marché du travail.”
Sébastien Ménard, the publisher and editor in chief of the Journal de Québec, called Parent “a true enthusiast with whom I worked closely for many years. … We will miss him!”