Sylvain Vaugeois, mastermind of the Cite du Multimedia program
Hyfler/Rosner
SOURCE: The Montreal Gazette
BYLINE: IRWIN BLOCK
Sylvain Vaugeois, mastermind of the Cite du Multimedia program to encourage
development in Montreal's high-tech sector, died Sunday night at age 46,
apparently of a heart attack.
Vaugeois was in his mid-20s when he worked as an aide to then Parti
Quebecois cabinet minister Michel Clair in the early 1980s, and was a
lobbyist when the PQ returned to power in 1994.
Opposition leader Bernard Landry issued a statement yesterday paying tribute
to Vaugeois as "a visionary entrepreneur who thought up innovative projects
... that sustained the new economy."
Landry worked for Vaugeois as a consultant after losing his
Laval-des-Rapides seat in 1985 and becoming a university professor.
Questioned in 2000 about the relationship, Landry credited Vaugeois with the
"bright idea" of the Cite du multimedia, which the government then improved
on. It offered tax credits for each new job created.
Vaugeois also promoted the idea of a Cite du commerce. That project and the
Cite du multimedia have since been scaled back by the less interventionist
Liberal government of Premier Jean Charest.
In yesterday's statement, Landry said Vaugeois's strategies paved the way
for Ubi Soft, the French computer game manufacturer, to set up offices here,
which had a ripple effect in attracting other high-tech firms.
Among other projects that Vaugeois has promoted was a high-speed train link
to New York City.
His latest promotional venture, with Hines, the giant American real-estate
developer, was a $200-million investment in the forested area near Lac
Mekinac, about 100 kilometres north of Trois Rivieres.
In April, the PQ government agreed in principle to sell the land to build
1,000 second homes over 10 years at a cost of more than $200 million.
Chantal Moisan, a spokesperson for Groupe Vaugeois, said the project is now
at the confirmation stage.
The firm issued a statement on behalf of the family, saying Vaugeois died
suddenly of cardiac arrest.
He is survived by his daughter Gabrielle, son Edouard, companion Catherine
Loubier and ex-wife Martine Page.
Funeral arrangements are to be announced this week.