Jacques Languirand (1931-2018)

2006 Lifetime Artistic Achievement (Screens and Voices (formerly Broadcasting and Film))

Captivating host, outstanding communicator, ardent social activist, philosopher, educator and playwright, Jacques Languirand has been a prominent figure in Canadian broadcasting for over five decades. This year marks his 35th season as host of Par 4 chemins, broadcast on Radio-Canada's La Première Chaîne. Every Sunday evening, his faithful fans tune in to listen to his insightful comments and opinions on topics ranging from science and the environment to politics and spirituality.

The self-taught survivor of a painful childhood, Jacques Languirand fled to Paris when he was eighteen. As a reporter for the French national broadcast network Radiodiffusion française (RDF) he interviewed such celebrities as André Breton, Paul Claudel, Jean Cocteau and André Malraux.

Returning to Montreal in the late 1950s, he made his television debut as a writer, host and reporter for various news, public affairs, arts and education programs. His colleagues included René Lévesque, Judith Jasmin, Pierre Nadeau and Michèle Tisseyre.

A prolific writer, Mr. Languirand has published numerous essays, novels, educational books and plays. His most recent play, Faust et les Radicaux libres, won a special distinction at the 2001 Onassis International Cultural Competition in Athens, Greece.

In addition to promoting public awareness of environmental issues and acting as Quebec's spokesperson for Earth Day, this passionate and multitalented man narrates the Télé-Québec documentary series Les Artisans du rebut global, which returns for a third season this fall.

Awards and honours include Officer of the Order of Canada (2003); the Prix Georges-émile-Lapalme (2004) awarded by the Government of Quebec for his contribution to the promotion of the French language; Radio-Canada's Prix du vice-président (2003–04) for lifetime career achievement; Chevalier de l'Ordre national du Québec (2004); honorary doctorate from McGill University (2002). In June 2006 he was admitted to Quebec's prestigious Cercle des Phénix for his outstanding contribution to environmental causes.