Fabien Roy obituary

Fabien Roy Obituary: Remembering a Distinguished Canadian Politician

On November 1, 2023, Canada lost a statesman who dedicated his life to public service and played an integral role in Canadian politics. Fabien Roy, a Canadian politician who served in both the National Assembly of Quebec and the House of Commons of Canada, passed away at the age of 95. Born on April 17, 1928, in Saint-Prosper, Quebec, Canada, Roy’s contributions to the political landscape were remarkable and enduring.

Fabien Roy’s political journey began with his election to the House of Commons of Canada in the May 22, 1979 federal election, representing the Social Credit Party. His passion for politics and unwavering commitment to his party’s principles propelled him into the leadership of the federal Social Credit Party of Canada, a role he assumed on March 30, 1979. This appointment marked a pivotal moment in his career, leading him to resign his National Assembly seat on April 5, 1979, as he transitioned into federal politics.

One of the defining aspects of Fabien Roy’s political career was his advocacy for social credit theories of monetary reform. He was a staunch advocate for constitutional change, vowing to fight to abolish the rarely used federal government’s right to disallow any provincial legislation. Roy’s vision emphasized the autonomy of each province within Canada, a commitment to federalism and provincial rights that remained at the core of his platform.

In the 1979 federal election, Fabien Roy was re-elected, this time from Beauce in eastern Quebec, demonstrating his enduring appeal and influence within his constituency.

As Leader of the Social Credit Party from March 30, 1979, to November 1, 1980, Fabien Roy’s leadership was marked by his dedication to his party’s principles and his unwavering commitment to his vision for a better Canada.

Beyond his political career, Fabien Roy’s life was rich and multifaceted. He was an accomplished accountant for the Saint-Prosper agricultural co-operative from 1945 to 1949, and he held the position of secretary for the Federation of Co-operative Trucking (Quebec South district) from 1949 to 1952, and later for the Sherbrooke district from 1952 to 1953. Roy’s entrepreneurial spirit shone through as he founded the F. Roy Transports trucking company, which he successfully ran from 1953 to 1962.

After his political career, Roy remained active in business and his community. He served as the director of Geoffrion Leclerc from 1981 to 1988 and was a director of Cégep Lévis-Lauzon, a community college, in 1984-1985. His commitment to the Beauce region was evident through his participation in the Beauce economic council from 1981, as well as his involvement in Rotary Club activities and local celebrations. Additionally, he contributed to the Marius-Barbeau Museum as a member of the consultation committee.

In 1989, Fabien Roy became the founding president of the Village des défricheurs of Saint-Prosper, a testament to his dedication to preserving and celebrating the heritage of his community. His commitment to sharing his life story and experiences led to the publication of his autobiography, “Député à Québec et à Ottawa—mais toujours Beauceron!” in 2005 (ISBN 2-89448-421-6).