The outspoken journalist and presenter Jean-Luc Mongrain has died at the age of 75 from complications of cancer. His death, which occurred on October 11, was confirmed by his son.
Jean-Luc Mongrain had a career of more than 50 years in the media. He started out on regional radio and television, but it was mainly at the helm of the public affairs program “Mongrain de sel” that he became known to the general public.
He then became the face of news for the TQS channel (now Noovo) when he hostedthe news bulletin “Le grand journal” for nine years. Over the course of his appearances without taboos, he forges an image of his own where it is not uncommon to see him get fired up on a current issue.
He then went on to air on LCN for three years where he hosted the daily show “Mongrain”, where his role was to dissect current affairs with his well-known colourful style.
In 2015, he explored the notion of not criminally responsible when the case pleaded in court is a mental disorder, in a documentary he produced and directed called “Guilty or Sick”.
More recently, in 2021, he launched into the world of podcasting with “Mongrain en balado,” a ten-episode project in which he interviews Quebec personalities on social issues, such as medical assistance in dying and relations with First Nations.
Over the course of his career, Jean-Luc Mongrain has received 18 Artis Awards, including Best News and Public Affairs Host.
He was also an important ambassador for the Quebec Breakfast Club, notably by leading the annual fundraising campaign called the “Tasse de Jean-Luc Mongrain” for several years.
A talent underlined by the political class
On social networks, the political class reacted to the death of the journalist. Premier-designate Paul St-Pierre Plamondon called him a “unique and colourful character,” saying “he was not a journalist like the others.”
“One of the things that will be remembered for a long time is the healthy anger he could have had on screen. An indignation that was in line with that of the listeners. An indignation felt, often with a touch of humour, which added to the ease of communicating with Quebecers,” said St-Pierre Plamondon, emphasizing “all the contribution he has had on our culture and our media landscape.”
Outgoing Premier Christine Fréchette wrote that “Quebec has lost a prominent figure in its media landscape.”
“Jean-Luc Mongrain will have marked generations of Quebecers with his passion, his colourful personality and his very own way of commenting on current events. An authentic communicator who will have left no one indifferent. With Mr. Mongrain, we had the right facts. He animated with his heart, without the tongue in cheek,” said Fréchette.
The leader of the Quebec Liberal Party, Charles Milliard, spoke of the departure of “a key figure in the Quebec media world.”
“Through his many programs, he was able not only to listen, but also to give a voice to Quebecers. He succeeded like no one else in bringing our aspirations and fears to life,” said Milliard.
Quebec Conservative Party Leader Éric Duhaime said Mongrain inspired him a lot during his radio career, calling him “a real guy, with common sense.”
“Some of his outpourings to defend the citizen against the bureaucratic system will go down in history,” Duhaime said.
Québec solidaire spokeswoman Ruba Ghazal wrote that she felt that part of her youth on television was leaving with Mongrain’s death. “He left a strong mark on the Quebec media landscape and will be remembered for a long time,” she said.
At the federal level, Bloc Québécois leader Yves-François Blanchet also pointed out that Mongrain has left his mark on the news in Quebec. “As far as possible, but never too far, he sought and provoked reflection. For a long time formidable and feared, and an affable and endearing man in person and in private,” commented Blanchet.
–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews
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