The 1984 Quebec National Assembly Shooting

2023/7/10

Dark Poutine - True Crime and Dark History

Shownotes Transcript

Episode 275: On May 8, 1984, a man with a beard, dressed in Canadian Forces camouflage attire and wearing a beret, entered the studios of CJRP, a radio station in Quebec City. Employees at the station noticed the man had a knife secured to his leg. The man approached the assistant to radio host André Arthur’s assistant, presented her with an envelope while introducing himself as “Mr. D.” and promptly left.

The man was later identified as Denis Lortie, a 25-year-old disgruntled Canadian Forces corporal who then entered the Citadelle de Quebec to commit a mass shooting of members of the National Assembly of Quebec. He opened fire, killing three unelected legislature employees, Georges Boyer, 61, Camille Lepage, 54, and Roger Lefrançois, 57. He injured thirteen others before being apprehended, thanks to the heroism of René Marc Jalbert, a retired Canadian Forces officer and the sergeant-at-arms of the National Assembly of Quebec. Lortie’s actions shocked the nation and prompted discussions on security measures and political extremism. Jalbert’s earned him the Cross of Valour, Canada’s highest civilian bravery award.

Sources:

Home - La Citadelle de Québec – Musée Royal 22e Régiment)

This is the story of how one lock and key, unlocked terror. | Diefenbunker.ca)

Dramatic video: 30th Anniversary of National Assembly shootings | CBC.ca)

“Mr. D.” - TIME)

The Père-version of the Political in the Case of Denis Lortie)

Canadian Parliamentary Review - Article)

Il y a 20 ans, la fusillade de l’Assemblée nationale | Radio-Canada.ca)

Le Soleil > Itinéraire d’un tueur)

1990 CanLII 3485 (QC CA) | R. c. Lortie | CanLII)

1986 CanLII 7293 (QC CA) | Lortie v. R. | CanLII)

Lortie, Re, 1985 CanLII 3637 (QC CA) | Lortie Re. | CanLii)