The CEO of the MEI reacts to the passing of Germain Belzile

Montreal, November 12, 2021 – Yesterday morning, economist Germain Belzile passed away surrounded by loved ones. Michel Kelly-Gagnon, President and CEO of the Montreal Economic Institute, wished to highlight Mr. Belzile’s remarkable contribution to Quebec public life.

“It is with great sadness that I learned of the death of my friend and valued colleague Germain Belzile,” declared Mr. Kelly-Gagnon. “Germain was an exceptional popularizer of economics and a great teacher. His passing will leave a large void in our media landscape,” added the CEO of the MEI.

“Germain’s zest for life and human warmth allowed him to reach and affect not only his many students, but also a great many Quebecers and other Canadians,” continued Michel Kelly-Gagnon. “His way with words and his clever repartee helped enliven our public debates and make economics accessible to the general public.”

“Yesterday, Quebec lost an engaged citizen, a passionate pedagogue, and a proud defender of freedom. On behalf of the MEI, I want to offer my sincere condolences to Germain’s family, especially to his daughter Zoé and his son Marc,” concluded Mr. Kelly-Gagnon.

Germain Belzile taught economics for over 30 years, first at UQAM, then HEC Montréal. He was also a Senior Associate Researcher at the Montreal Economic Institute, where he once served as Director of Research. He is survived by his children Marc Saint-Pierre Belzile (Lucinda Luttrell) and Zoé Saint-Pierre Belzile (Danny Duchesne), his parents Gisèle and René Belzile, his brothers Marc and Sylvain (Chantal Guimont), his large circle of friends, his colleagues past and present, as well as the thousands of people who were touched by his kindness, his humour, and his keen intellect.

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The Montreal Economic Institute is an independent public policy think tank. Through its publications, media appearances, and advisory services to policy-makers, the MEI stimulates public policy debate and reforms based on sound economics and entrepreneurship.

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Interview requests: Daniel Dufort, Cell. 438-886-9919, Email: ddufort@iedm.org