Ottawa, May 16, 2008
By the Honourable Josée Verner
Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women
and Official Languages
Upon hearing of the death of Jean Herbiet, I share in the sadness felt by all those who knew this giant of the theatre, who made many important contributions to the development of French theatre in Canada.
The professional career of Mr. Herbiet included a number of major accomplishments. After moving to Ottawa at the end of the 1950s, this native of Belgium took over the helm of the French Theatre at the National Arts Centre in 1971. He is noted for the creation of the NAC's resident theatre troupe, the Compagnie du CNA, which presented high-quality French theatre all across Canada, as well as the youth theatre troupe l'Hexagone. A talented playwright and director, Mr. Herbiet was also director general of the Canadian Cultural Centre in Paris at the beginning of the 1980s. Upon returning to Canada, he was one of the founders of the Department of Theatre at the University of Ottawa and took part in the creation of theatrical exhibits at the Canadian Museum of Civilization and Parliament of Canada. The recent creation of the Jean Herbiet Scholarship, given by the University of Ottawa and Théâtre Action, is a testament to the influence he had on a large number of young artists.
As Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages, I offer my sincere condolences to the family and friends of Jean Herbiet.
Dominic Gosselin
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage,
Status of Women and Official Languages
819 997-7788
