The following statement was issued today by New Brunswick Premier Brian Gallant on the passing of Jean-Guy Rioux, former president of the World Acadian Congress: 

We are all saddened to hear of the passing of Jean-Guy Rioux.

Jean-Guy was a passionate champion of education and the Acadian culture within New Brunswick and across the country.

He played a key role in creating the Université de Moncton’s Shippagan campus where he was vice-president from 1979 to 1990.

A well-respected member of the community, Jean-Guy leaves a large legacy in the Acadian community, and he will be missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. I had the chance to chat with him when he was inducted to the Order of New Brunswick this past fall. He was kind and clearly still very passionate about New Brunswick.

On behalf of all New Brunswickers, we offer our most sincere condolences to his family and friends.  

Université de Moncton
Université de Moncton
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Rioux died Wednesday at the age of 76.  A native of Shippagan, Rioux was educated in Fredericton. He received a bachelor of arts from Bathurst College, a bachelor of education from University of Moncton, and later a master of arts in education, also from University of Moncton. He spent many years in education, first as a teacher and later as principal. He was director of northeast continuing education for the Shippagan University Centre, of the University of Moncton, serving as vice president and establishing the Centre for Research and Development of Marine Products.

Rioux also served as president of the Association Canadienne D'éducation de Langue Française, La Société des Acadiens et Acadiennes du Nouveau-Brunswick and the Federation of Francophone and Acadian Communities.

He was a 2016 recipient of the Order of New Brunswick and was awarded the Order of Canada in 2012.

Rioux was president of the Organizing Committee for the 2009 Congrès mondial acadien, an international event that brings Acadians of the world together every five years in a different Acadian heartland. The two to three-week event features a diverse program of events including community fairs, outdoor concerts, artistic performances, conferences, family reunions, sport and more that attract Acadians from all over the world.

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