Premier Legault: Quebec will never forget COVID-19 victims

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Today, Quebec has a duty to remember.

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Exactly two years ago, we all plunged into another world. The World Health Organization declared that the spread of a new coronavirus had reached the pandemic stage.

Little was known about COVID-19 at that time, and no one knew the pandemic’s ultimate scope.

I will remember for the rest of my life the first weeks of the pandemic, the daily press briefings to inform Quebecers, and the long days and nights spent wondering if we were making the right decisions.

Never would I have imagined having to appear daily before the cameras to announce restrictions and to tell people what to do. I would go so far as to say that it was against my nature to do so as I believe in greater individual autonomy.

We did what we had to do to save as many lives as possible. I remember that Quebecers immediately grasped the seriousness of the situation and that Quebec reacted admirably in the face of danger.

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Quebecers fully displayed their solidarity, especially toward seniors, and even the youngest among them followed the recommendations to save their parents and grandparents. Everyone pulled together in a spirit of national cohesion of which I am indeed proud.

Heroes distinguished themselves. Our health-care workers stepped up to care for the sick and displayed immense courage. They fully deserve our recognition.

Long months of the pandemic followed the initial rapid wave. We succeeded in quickly bolstering our health-care system by training additional staff. We kept our schools open to minimize the impact on our children. We carried out one of the most effective vaccination campaigns in the world. Starting Saturday, we will withdraw almost all the restrictions.

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All this stems from Quebecers’ spirit of solidarity. I can never thank you enough for it.

March 11 reminds me of the strength of our people and of the enormous sacrifices that we have had to make. It also brings to mind all those who left us too soon.

The virus attacked the most vulnerable among us, especially our seniors, who built Quebec. Together, we managed to save thousands of lives, but we also lost too many mothers, fathers, grandmothers and grandfathers. We lost brothers, sisters and friends.

This day is dedicated to their memory and to their loved ones who continue to suffer from their absence.

It is for them that Quebecers will remember on March 11.

Francois Legault is Premier of Quebec.