The political class reacted with emotion on Wednesday to the announcement of the death of the singer of the Cowboys Fringants, Karl Tremblay, an “unforgettable” artist who “marked the history of Quebec”.
The announcement of the death of Karl Tremblay, the singer of Cowboys Fringants who had been battling prostate cancer for several years, moved Quebec.
“A big star, a beautiful star. A shooting star. Karl Tremblay has left us and all of Quebec is crying, reacted the premier of the province François Legault on X. My most sincere condolences to his family and loved ones. »
The CAQ Minister of Culture and Communications, Mathieu Lacombe, shared a long message on social networks to express his sorrow.
“I am heartbroken to learn of the death of Karl Tremblay,” he wrote. Phew. How to say ? Karl, with the Cowboys, not only marked the history of Quebec, but he was also the voice of so many people, of so many fights. He also personally marked my youth, then my adult life. […] The Cowboys are all of us. This is a huge loss for our nation. »
In his opinion, the Cowboys Fringants are “the most significant and influential group in the history of Quebec”.
He is not the only one who wanted to pay tribute to the artist and his work. Political reactions, transcending parties and positions, were quick to emerge.
“Words fail me to express all the pain I feel, and to what extent this is a heavy loss for Quebec,” said Parti Québécois leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon. “Karl Tremblay will have left his mark on all of Quebec, everyone can identify with one of the Cowboys’ songs. Including my 5-year-old daughter, who will find it difficult to break the news to. »
At Québec solidaire, co-spokesperson Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois also deplored the death of the man who marked an entire generation. “Karl won’t sing anymore. The voice of an entire generation is dying out. My heart is broken. His star will forever shine in the firmament of the greatest legends of Quebec music. To his family, his loved ones, and his Cowboys: we will never forget him. “, he wrote on social networks.
Same reaction from the Liberal Party, where the leader of the official opposition in the National Assembly, Marc Tanguay, wrote: “Tonight, it’s all of Quebec that’s crying, that’s going to the bottom of the heart. [Karl Tremblay’s] courageous fight against cancer touched us deeply. The group’s last shows will remain particularly engraved in our memories, testimonies of the singer’s strength in the face of adversity. His unique voice will continue to resonate eternally in our collective memory. »
“His voice will echo in our hearts for a long time. It’s a whole part of Quebec culture that is leaving us after having fought a whole battle,” liberal MP Marwah Rizqy also shared on Instagram. “Thank you for these magical moments through your songs. My years at CEGEP were less heavy thanks to you. My sorrows have often found refuge in your words. This departure is infinitely sad. »
The leader of the Bloc Québécois in Ottawa Yves-François Blanchet also wanted to pay tribute to the singer on social networks. “It is to the loved ones, to the small and large family and to the hundreds of thousands of fans of the Cowboys fringants and of Karl Tremblay that I send my condolences. I wish you courage worthy of his and love worthy of the hope he kept and shared,” he wrote on X.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Liberal Party of Canada Mélanie Joly also learned with “sadness” of the singer’s death. “Karl transported Quebec by making us experience unforgettable moments that marked Quebec culture,” she emphasized on X.
In Montreal, Mayor Valérie Plante deplored the loss of a “great artist”. “The voice and songs of Karl Tremblay will resonate in our hearts for a long time to come. My most sincere sympathies to his fans, members of the Cowboys and his loved ones. »
The leader of the Official Opposition at Montreal City Hall Aref Salem also highlighted the singer’s departure: “The world became magical under the voice of Karl Tremblay. More than a very talented artist, he was a reference, a unifier and unforgettable. »
As for the capital, the mayor of Quebec Bruno Marchand assured that the city’s flags would be at half-mast on Thursday, in tribute to the singer. “Since I was 22 my heart has been beating to the rhythm of the Cowboys. They push us to think, to look at ourselves, to improve. Quebec now has its shooting star. Thank you for the Quebec that you were able to build through your music, he wrote. Have a good trip Karl. »
