"Fulgence Charpentier – widely regarded as the dean of the world’s journalists – has left us. The death of this proud Franco-Ontarian - who was at different times, a journalist, a high-ranking public servant, a diplomat and a man of letters - is a very sad moment for our country.

The extraordinary life and career of Fulgence Charpentier has long elicited profound admiration at home and abroad. As a journalist, his lively writing gave eloquent voice to his remarkable clarity of mind. As a diplomat, he served Canada proudly, most notably in establishing a half-dozen African embassies. And as man of letters, he left us a truly remarkable body of work.

I pay tribute, today, to the great citizen that was Fulgence Charpentier; to his intellectual curiosity and his limitless passion for public affairs. He leaves us a rich legacy. But his verve, his intelligence, his professionalism and his grace will be greatly missed

Aline joins me, on behalf of all Canadians, in offering our sincerest condolences to his family, his colleagues and his many, many friends."