Former director of “Devoir”, Bernard Descôteaux, has died –

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Bernard Descôteaux, 77 and director of Devoir for almost 17 years, died Saturday morning of generalized cancer.

The newspaper “Le Devoir” announced this on Saturday afternoon.

Mr. Descôteaux was born in Nicolet in 1947 and studied political science at the University of Montreal and economics and politics at the University of Toronto.

His career as a journalist began in 1969 at La Voix de l'Est, shortly before moving to Devoir in 1974 to remain there.

He was initially a local politics columnist in Montreal and spent many years as a parliamentary correspondent in Quebec and Ottawa.

He then became news director and editor-in-chief in 1990 before taking over the management of the daily newspaper in 1999.

“Le Devoir” recalled that he would have had the opportunity to steer “Devoir’s” boat through the digital transformation characterized by the decline in paper format and advertising revenue.

The journalist is also co-author of a book about the Quebec elections, published in 1981.

“I have always greatly admired Bernard Descôteaux. Calm, considerate and very generous with his time, he always intervened with moderation, objectivity and accuracy, qualities that are becoming increasingly rare today. I am very sad to learn that he is no longer with us, he was both a mentor and an inspiration to me,” said Paul St-Pierre Plamondon on X.

Liberal MP for Mont-Royal-Outremont Michelle Setlakwe also expressed her feelings.

“Sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of the great journalist Bernard Descôteaux,” she published on X.

Many journalists also posted their condolences and memories on various platforms.