Former Quebec premier Bernard Landry, who died at the age of 81 – Montreal

Former Quebec premier Bernard Landry pbaded away at the age of 81.

The former leader and loyal pillar of the Parti Québécois ruled from 2001 to 2003 until his defeat by the Quebec Liberals under the leadership of Jean Charest. He also led the separatist party on the left between 2001 and 2005 after the resignation of Lucien Bouchard.

"This guy was a great man, an important man in Quebec history," said Quebec Premier François Legault.

His health had deteriorated in recent months and he died at home in Verchères, Quebec, from a lung disease. Landry's death was confirmed Tuesday afternoon.

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"My heart is shattered by the announcement of the death of Premier Landry," PQ interim chief Pascal Bérubé said on Twitter. "On behalf of the Parti Quebecois, I offer my deepest condolences to his family, friends and all Quebec sovereignists."

PQ MP Catherine Fournier said Landry's legacy "will continue to inspire the next generation".

"One country, we will do it through your contribution," she said on social media.

"Rest badured that we will carry the torch very high."

Régis Labeaume, Mayor of Quebec City, described the former Prime Minister's death as "a great loss for Quebec".

"Mr. Landry has marked the Quebec nation, his contribution has been outstanding and he has always promoted our language, our culture and our identity," he said in a statement.

A fiery sovereignist from the beginning

Ardent sovereignist, Landry was a student activist in the 1960s. He obtained a law degree from the University of Montreal before studying economics and finance at the Institute of Political Studies in Paris.

The native of Saint-Jacques was only 27 years old when the founder of the PQ, René Lévesque, trained him in the sphere of Quebec politics. He unsuccessfully presented himself in 1970 and 1973 under the banner of the party, but he finally obtained a seat in the constituency of Fabre in 1976.

During his term in the party, Landry held several important positions, starting with Minister of State for Economic Development. He has also been Minister of Finance, Minister of Foreign Trade and International Relations.

In 1994, he was appointed deputy prime minister by his prime minister, Jacques Parizeau. Nicknamed "super minister", he has also held several positions, including that of Minister of International Affairs, Immigration and Cultural Communities.

He was Deputy Premier of Quebec until 2001, when he took over from Bouchard.

After the defeat of the PQ in the 2003 provincial election, Landry remained leader of the party until he left politics in 2005.

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Landry was last seen in public on May 21 when he was participating in National Patriots Day activities.

He is survived by his wife Chantal Renaud and his three children, Julie, Philippe and Pascale.

– With records from the Canadian press