The late René Fontaine, a former Northern affairs and mines minister and mayor of Hearst, has been posthumously recognized with an honorary doctorate from Laurentian University.
“He was a pioneer, an energetic businessman, and a champion of the people of northern Ontario,” Laurentian president Dominic Giroux said in a news release. “His devotion to public service, his passion and his vision still resonate today. His belief in the potential of the North and its people is one that we at Laurentian share and we are proud to award René Fontaine this honorary doctorate today.”
Fontaine’s family accepted the doctorate on his behalf during convocation ceremonies at the University of Hearst.
Fontaine led a successful lumber business while also being devoted to public life, first in the municipal arena. He was first elected mayor of Hearst in 1967 and held the position for 12 years. During his time as mayor, he declared the Town of Hearst to be officially bilingual, a step no other Ontario municipality had taken.
In 1985, Fontaine was elected Liberal MPP for Cochrane North and was named minister of Northern affairs and mines in the government of David Peterson. He served in provincial politics until 1990, and was also the first chair of the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corp. Mr.
Fontaine died in March.
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