The outspoken journalist and presenter Jean-Luc Mongrain has died aged 75 from complications related to cancer. His death, which occurred on Oct. 11, was confirmed by his son. Mongrain’s career spanned more than 50 years in the media. He began in regional radio and television, but it was primarily as the presenter of the current affairs program L’heure juste et Mongrain de sel that he became known to the general public. He subsequently became the face of news on the TQS channel (now Noovo Info), presenting the news program Le Grand journal for nine years. Through his outspoken appearances, he forged a distinctive image of his own, and it was not uncommon to see him getting worked up about a topical issue. He then spent three years on LCN, hosting the daily program Mongrain, where his role was to dissect current affairs topics in his trademark colourful style. In 2015, he explored the concept of criminal irresponsibility when a mental disorder is the basis of a court case, in a documentary he produced and directed entitled “Coupable ou malade.” More recently, in 2021, he ventured into the world of podcasting with “Mongrain en balado,” a 10-episode series in which he interviewed prominent Quebec figures on social issues, such as medical assistance in dying (MAID) and relations with Indignous communities and people. Throughout his career, Mongrain received 18 Artis Awards, including Best Presenter in News and Public Affairs. This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Oct. 12, 2026.
