Quebec City mayor Rgis Labeaume awarded French Legion of Honour

The outgoing mayor of Quebec City has received France'shighest international honour.

On Saturday,Rgis Labeaumewas awarded the medal of the French Legion of Honour during a ceremony at city hall.

The Legion of Honour rewards people who have distinguished themselves in their servicesprovided to France.

Thoughthe award was initially reserved for heads of state and ambassadors, theappointmenthassince broadened beyond the political and diplomatic sphere.

Former French prime minister Alain Jupp presented the award to an emotional Labeaumeyesterday afternoon. He mentioned Labeaume'scourage, humanity and wisdom notablyin the way he responded to the shooting at a Quebec City mosque in 2017 and the sword attack in Old Quebec last Halloween.

Personal Connection

Jupp and Labeaumehit it off when they metduring Labeaume'strips to France, particularly his visittothe city of Bordeaux where Jupp served as mayor from 2006 to 2019.

Juppsaid the encountersled to variouscollaborations between the City of Bordeaux andQuebec City, both economic and academic.

"From our first contact, we had a connection,"Juppsaid of Labeaume during the ceremony. "I liked your naturalness, your energy, your curiosity, your passion for the city you were responsible for."

Juppsaid it was his pleasure to present the medal to his friend.

"Today, it is the French Republic which pays homage to the great mayor that you were for 14 years."

Labeaumewas visibly moved during the ceremony and stoodsurrounded by his family.

Hesaid that as the son of a mechanic, tobe decorated with this awardspeaks to theimmense possibilities for men and women from Quebec.

Labeaume will leavepolitical life behind on November 7, when he wraps up his last term as mayor.