Montréal—It was with great sadness that we learned yesterday that the former Canadian Senator and our colleague the Honourable Jean Bazin, Q.C. has passed away.

Born on January 31, 1940, Jean Bazin, one of the pillars of our Labour Law Group, spent his entire career at Dentons. He joined Dentons in 1965 when the firm was then called Byers Casgrain.

Jean acted as an arbitrator in commercial matters and as a mediator in several areas, and has pleaded before all levels of the federal and Québec judicial systems. He has represented clients and acted as a mediator in a number of high profile cases involving companies, governments and aboriginal communities. The Government of Québec called upon Jean to initiate talks with the Grand Chief of Kanesatake during a key crisis in 2004.

As a Canadian senator (1986-1989), appointed by the Right Honourable Brian Mulroney, then Prime Minister of Canada, Jean contributed to the work of many committees, most notably on energy and natural resources and foreign affairs.

Jean was also very involved with the Québec legal community. He was President of the Young Bar of Montréal (1970-1971) and set up the Bureau de l’assistance judiciaire du Barreau de Montréal (Legal Aid Office of the Bar of Montreal), now known as Aide juridique (Legal Aid). He also presided over the Canadian Bar Association (1987-1988).

Jean Bazin will be greatly missed by all of us at Dentons and by all members of the legal community who have worked with him.

We offer our deepest condolences to Jean's family, friends and colleagues.

For any questions, please contact Cécile Anselmi by e-mail at cecile.anselmi@dentons.com or by telephone at 1 514 878 8825.

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