René Jalbert

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René Marc Jalbert () is a Quebec military officer and sergeant. He was a former member of the Canadian Armed Forces and in 1971 was assistant to the Chief of Protocol, who reports to the Secretariat for Intergovernmental Affairs.

He was known for his intervention during the shooting on 8 May 1984 at the Hôtel du Parlement du Québec.

Military career
René Jalbert served during the Second World War and during the Korean War. He reached the rank of Major in the Royal Regiment. He also participated in the peacekeeping forces in Cyprus

Weapons Sergeant

After his military career, he was a sergeant of arms at the Quebec National Assembly during which he remained known for his intervention during the shooting on May 8, 1984 at the Hôtel du Parlement du Québec when Denis Lortie wanted to assassinate Quebec Prime Minister René Levesque.

In the morning of the 19th century, Denis Lortie entered the Hôtel du Parlement du Québec with heavy arms before the opening of the debates. He killed three government employees and injured 13 others by heading for the Blue Lounge.

Upon learning of the presence of a shooter, René Jalbert entered the room. Seeing the shooter in military uniform, Jalbert showed him his own identification as a veteran of the same regiment, and began a dialogue with him. Jalbert persuaded him to allow several employees to leave. Then he invites Lortie to his office to discuss the situation, thus going hostage while keeping Lortie away from the living room. After four hours of negotiations, Jalbert managed to persuade Lortie to go to the police.

René Jalbert was decorated with the Cross of Vaillance, Canada's highest civil distinction, which was presented to him by the Governor General of Canada, Jeanne Sauvé, at a ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa. The text of the quote indicates that the cold blood and courage of this veteran almost certainly avoided a much greater carnage:

René Jalbert's speech was welcomed by several speakers for several years.

He was also a gentleman of the Black Rod (Black Rod usher) for the Senate of Canada from 1985 to 1989.

Awards and awards
For his intervention during the shooting, René Jalbert received:
The Cross of Valour

The National Assembly of Quebec Medal

Heritage
Today, a street in Quebec City bears its name.

Notes and references