Obituary for
The Honourable Marcel Prud'homme P.C.
The Honourable Marcel Prud'homme passed away in Ottawa on January 25, 2017 at the age of 82. Son of the late Dr. Hector Prud'homme and the late Lucia Paquette, he was also predeceased by his eleven brothers and sisters. He is survived and will be missed by his nieces and nephews (especially Geoffrey, from Ottawa) as well as their spouses and children, faithful friends, former colleagues and former staff members.
After studying law at the University of Montreal and the University of Ottawa, he was elected Liberal MP for the riding of Saint-Denis in 1964 and was subsequently re-elected eight times. In 1993, he accepted an appointment to the Senate of Canada as an independent Senator, a position he held until the age of mandatory retirement in 2009. Almost 46 years of service to Canada's Parliament made him, at the end of his career, the Institution's Dean. He held multiple functions in both Chambers, including being elected Chairman of the National Liberal Caucus by his peers in 1987.
Politician and passionate speaker, he encouraged dialogue to promote peace in the world. He was particularly interested in international relations, nuclear disarmament, and was a pioneer of parliamentary diplomacy in Canada. He was also a defender of human rights and linguistic duality, which he constantly promoted in federal institutions. However, his first service was always to the citizens of the constituency he represented brilliantly as a proud Montrealer and Quebecer.
In recognition of his outstanding services, he was made a Member of the Queen's Privy Council, by Her Majesty, during her visit to Canada in 1992. He received five Canadian commemorative medals, was decorated by several countries, including Russia, Morocco, Cuba and Hungary, and received a doctorate honoris causa from the University of Algiers.
His significant contribution to Canadian political life for nearly 60 years, including over 45 years as a parliamentarian, is a rare achievement that earned him the respect and recognition of Canada.
