Yvon Picotte

Yvon Picotte (October 27, 1941 – May 15, 2024) was a Canadian politician from Quebec.

Life and career

Picotte was a five-term Liberal member of the National Assembly, who represented the electoral district of Maskinongé from 1973 to 1994. He also was in charge of several portfolios in the second cabinet of premier Robert Bourassa, including tourism and agriculture.

From 2002 to 2008, Picotte was a supporter of the Action démocratique du Québec. From 2004 to 2006, he served as President of that party. In May 2006, he made embarrassing comments about Parti Québécois Leader André Boisclair. Boisclair had decided not to run in a by-election for the district of Sainte-Marie–Saint-Jacques, the district where he lives and that is well known for its large gay population. Accusing Boisclair of being a coward, Picotte jokingly said that the riding would fit Boisclair, who is openly gay, like a glove (comme un gant). Many journalists criticized Picotte, saying his comment sounded homophobic. Within days, Picotte apologized.[1]

In October 2008, he announced that he would vote for local Liberal candidate and friend Jean-Paul Diamond in the next provincial election.[2][3]

Picotte was the director of Pavillon du Nouveau Point de vue, an addiction intervention centre.

Picotte died on May 15, 2024, at the age of 82. He had been diagnosed with esophageal cancer six months earlier.[4]

Footnotes

  1. ^ "Picotte présente ses excuses à Boisclair" [Picotte apologizes to Boisclair]. Radio-Canada (in French). May 8, 2006. Archived from the original on May 16, 2024. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
  2. ^ Lessard, Denis (October 29, 2008). "Yvon Picotte votera libéral" [Yvon Picotte will vote Liberal]. La Presse (in French). Archived from the original on May 16, 2024. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
  3. ^ Lafrenière, Martin (October 29, 2008). "Yvon Picotte pourrait revenir avec le PLQ comme conseiller" [Picotte may return to the PLQ as an advisor]. Le Nouvelliste (in French). Archived from the original on May 16, 2024. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
  4. ^ Nadeau, Rémi (May 15, 2024). "L'ex-ministre Yvon Picotte est décédé" [Former minister Yvon Picotte has died]. Le Journal de Québec (in French). Archived from the original on May 16, 2024. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
National Assembly of Quebec
Preceded by MNA, District of Maskinongé
19701994
Succeeded by
Government offices
Preceded by Minister of Recreation, Wildlife & Fisheries
1985–1989
Succeeded by
Preceded by Minister of Tourism
1985–1987
Succeeded by
Preceded by Minister of Municipal Affairs
1989–1990
Succeeded by
Preceded by Minister of Agriculture & Fisheries
1990–1994
Succeeded by
Party political offices
Preceded by President of Action démocratique du Québec
2004–2006
Succeeded by