Actress and former senator Viola Leger, best known as La Sagouine, dies at 92
Actress, teacher and former senator Viola Leger has died at the age of 92.
A release from management company Le Grenier musique says Leger died Saturday in Dieppe, New Brunswick.
Leger was best known for her portrayal of the character La Sagouine in the play of the same name by Antonine Maillet, playing the role more than three-thousand times and winning the Dora Mavor Moore Award in 1981 for her performance. In 2013, she was recognized by the Governor General's Performing Arts Awards with the Lifetime Artistic Achievement for theatre.
She was appointed to the Senate in 2001 by then Liberal Prime Minister Jean Chretien, serving as a representative of New Brunswick until 2005.
In a statement on Facebook, federal Minister of Official Languages Ginette Petitpas Taylor wrote Acadia will never again have such a loyal ambassador, saying La Sagouine was not only the role of Leger's career and life, but "also represented a symbol of great pride and tenacity for all Acadians."
Leger was named an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1989.
She retired from public life in 2017 after having suffering a stroke.
Funeral arrangements will be announced in the near future.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 29, 2023.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Aviation experts say Russia's air defence fire likely caused Azerbaijan plane crash as nation mourns
Aviation experts said Thursday that Russian air defence fire was likely responsible for the Azerbaijani plane crash the day before that killed 38 people and left all 29 survivors injured.
Police identify victim of Christmas Day homicide in Hintonburg, charge suspect
The Ottawa Police Service says the victim who had been killed on Christmas Day in Hintonburg has been identified.
Teen actor Hudson Meek, who appeared in 'Baby Driver,' dies after falling from moving vehicle
Hudson Meek, the 16-year-old actor who appeared in 'Baby Driver,' died last week after falling from a moving vehicle in Vestavia Hills, Alabama, according to CNN affiliate WVTM.
Pizza deliverer in Florida charged with stabbing pregnant woman at motel after tip dispute
A pizza deliverer in central Florida has been charged with pushing her way into a motel room with an accomplice and stabbing a pregnant woman after a dispute over a tip, authorities said.
Raised in Sask. after his family fled Hungary, this man spent decades spying on communists for the RCMP
As a Communist Party member in Calgary in the early 1940s, Frank Hadesbeck performed clerical work at the party office, printed leaflets and sold books.
Cat food that caused bird-flu death of Oregon pet was distributed in B.C.: officials
Pet food contaminated with bird flu – which killed a house cat in Oregon – was distributed and sold in British Columbia, according to officials south of the border.
Unwanted gift card in your stocking? Don't let it go to waste
Gift cards can be a quick and easy present for those who don't know what to buy and offer the recipient a chance to pick out something nice for themselves, but sometimes they can still miss the mark.
Sinkhole prompts lane closures on Interstate 80 in New Jersey
A sinkhole that opened up Thursday along Interstate 80 in northern New Jersey forced authorities to close the heavily travelled highway's eastbound lanes.
Boxing Day in Canada: Small retailers fear big shopping day won't make up for tough year
It’s one of the busiest shopping days of the year: Boxing Day sees thousands of people head to malls and big box stores to find great deals. But it's not so simple for smaller shops.
Toronto
-
OPP shut down Hwy. 401 off-ramp clogged with Boxing Day deal-hunters
A Highway 401 off-ramp west of Toronto became so clogged up with Boxing Day deal-hunters Thursday that police had to shut it down.
-
Man wanted for 2 unprovoked incidents in downtown Toronto on Christmas Eve
Toronto police are searching for a suspect who allegedly choked a female in downtown Toronto then threatened an employee at a business with a hammer.
-
1 person seriously injured in Scarborough stabbing
One person was taken to the hospital with serious, but non-life-threatening injuries following a stabbing on Dec. 25 in Scarborough, say paramedics.
Calgary
-
2 minors, 2 adults critically injured in south Calgary crash; incident was preceded by a robbery
Multiple people were rushed to hospital, including two minors, in the aftermath of a serious vehicle collision on Thursday morning.
-
Boxing Day draws deal-seekers, but maybe fewer than in times past
Calgarians hoping to save some money—or get that last gift they missed out on for Christmas—headed to the store for Boxing Day.
-
Boxing Day in Canada: Small retailers fear big shopping day won't make up for tough year
It’s one of the busiest shopping days of the year: Boxing Day sees thousands of people head to malls and big box stores to find great deals. But it's not so simple for smaller shops.
Edmonton
-
These are the scams that affected Albertans the most in 2024
CTV News Edmonton looks at the scams that affected Albertans the most in 2024, and how you can protect yourself.
-
Alberta premier hopes for health reform payoff in 2025, regrets deferring tax cut
"It may have been better for Albertans if we'd implemented and then found a way to be able to pay for it."
-
Aviation experts say Russia's air defence fire likely caused Azerbaijan plane crash as nation mourns
Aviation experts said Thursday that Russian air defence fire was likely responsible for the Azerbaijani plane crash the day before that killed 38 people and left all 29 survivors injured.
Montreal
-
WEATHERWEATHER Smog warning in effect in Montreal, Laval
Residents of Montreal, Laval and other regions are advised that a smog warning is in effect.
-
Quebec teenager gives his Make-A-Wish donation to his community
When the Make-A-Wish Foundation offered Gerry McAdam anything he wanted he didn't know what to do. The 16-year-old from Hemmingford, Quebec is battling sarcoma, a rare form of tissue cancer.
-
A very different Boxing Day from previous years
In a markedly different economic context than last year, with fiercer and more unfair international competition than ever and less than two weeks after the end of the Canada Post strike, this year’s Boxing Day sales are set to be different from those in previous years, says the Quebec Retail Council (CQCD).
Ottawa
-
Police identify victim of Christmas Day homicide in Hintonburg, charge suspect
The Ottawa Police Service says the victim who had been killed on Christmas Day in Hintonburg has been identified.
-
World Junior Championship to create a buzz in Ottawa this Boxing Day
A Canadian hockey holiday tradition returns to the capital this Boxing Day, as the 2025 World Junior Championship is set to create a buzz in the city.
-
What's open and closed in Ottawa over the holidays
CTVNewsOttawa.ca takes a look at what's open and closed over the Christmas and New Year's holidays this year.
London
-
Palace Theatre boarded up over the holidays due to recent damage
A break in, theft, and continued property damage has led to the boarding up of the Palace Theatre over the Christmas holidays.
-
Knights stars ready to help Canada chase gold at World Juniors
Three London Knights are on the roster, including Easton Cowan, who scored a hat-trick in Canada’s first exhibition game.
-
London fire responds to Wellington Road collision, contains fuel leak
London Fire Department was on the scene of a two vehicle collision involving a delivery truck on Tuesday morning.
Barrie
-
Teen allegedly attempting to avoid R.I.D.E. program leads to police chase, arrest
A teenage driver is facing numerous charges after reportedly attempting to avoid a R.I.D.E. program and flee from police in Essa Township late Christmas night.
-
Woman charged after driving in oncoming traffic: OPP
A 78-year-old female driver is facing charges after reportedly driving into oncoming traffic in Wasaga Beach on Christmas Eve.
-
How Barrie is celebrating Hanukkah and Kwanzaa
While many were opening the last of their Christmas gifts Wednesday night, the Jewish community in Barrie and Simcoe County was lighting the first Hanukkah candle and gearing up for eight days of festivities.
Northern Ontario
-
Drug trade fuelling increase in gun crime in Timmins, police say
Police in Timmins say gun crime is increasing in the city because of the drug trade, especially involving opioids.
-
Freezing drizzle advisory in effect for Greater Sudbury
Environment Canada issued a freezing drizzle advisory Thursday for areas in and around Greater Sudbury.
-
Average home sale prices in the Sault set new record last month
Homes sales edged upward in many markets in northern Ontario last month, including Sault Ste. Marie, where average sale prices set a new record.
Kitchener
-
Fire rips through former Peter Hay Knife Company building in Cambridge
Emergency responders were called to a fire in Cambridge on Thursday as flames ripped through the building that formerly belonged to the Peter Hay Knife Company.
-
Sawed-off shotgun and three knives seized during Cambridge arrest
Two people from Thunder Bay are facing drug trafficking and weapons charges after they were arrested in Cambridge.
-
Baden-born player, Guelph Storm forward and former Kitchener Ranger prepare to hit the ice at World Juniors
Waterloo Region and Guelph will be well represented as the International Ice Hockey Federation World Juniors gets underway.
Windsor
-
Mother-daughter duo pursuing university dreams at the same time
For one University of Windsor student, what is typically a chance to gain independence from her parents has become a chance to spend more time with her biggest cheerleader — her mom.
-
VIDEO
VIDEO From a repaired stuffed animal to an ATV, shoppers reveal the best gift they have ever received
We asked people of all ages getting in some last-minute Christmas Eve shopping inside Windsor’s Devonshire Mall to talk about the best present they've ever received — and their answers might just warm your heart this holiday season.
-
'We may have to look at other sensible locations': Where will Windsor’s new H4 be located?
The search for a site to house Windsor’s new Homelessness and Housing Help Hub (H4) is back underway after the city scrapped plans at 700 Wellington Avenue on Monday.
Winnipeg
-
16-year-old boy found with machete: Police
A 16-year-old boy is in custody after police said they found him with a machete.
-
Boxing Day in Canada: Small retailers fear big shopping day won't make up for tough year
It’s one of the busiest shopping days of the year: Boxing Day sees thousands of people head to malls and big box stores to find great deals. But it's not so simple for smaller shops.
-
Have you seen Davis? Winnipeg police search for missing man
Winnipeg police are asking the public to help find a man who went missing last week.
Regina
-
Yorkton RCMP seek tips to locate unlawfully-at-large inmate
Yorkton RCMP is seeking tips from the public to locate an inmate after staff noticed he was not present at the Whitespruce Provincial Training Centre.
-
Pedestrian collision sends man to hospital with life-threatening injuries
One man has been sent to hospital with life-threatening injuries after he was struck by a vehicle in the early hours of Wednesday in Regina.
-
Raised in Sask. after his family fled Hungary, this man spent decades spying on communists for the RCMP
As a Communist Party member in Calgary in the early 1940s, Frank Hadesbeck performed clerical work at the party office, printed leaflets and sold books.
Saskatoon
-
Raised in Sask. after his family fled Hungary, this man spent decades spying on communists for the RCMP
As a Communist Party member in Calgary in the early 1940s, Frank Hadesbeck performed clerical work at the party office, printed leaflets and sold books.
-
IN PICTURES: CTV Saskatoon viewers send us their holiday photos
A living gallery of viewer-submitted photos from the holiday season. Share your pictures with us at SaskatoonNews@bellmedia.ca
-
Sask. highway closed following serious collision
The Saskatchewan RCMP are investigating a serious collision on Highway 7, approximately 15 kilometres west of Rosetown.
Vancouver
-
1 airlifted, highway closed after crash in Mission
Lougheed Highway is closed in Mission, B.C., after a car crash Thursday morning that seriously injured at least one person, Mounties say.
-
These were the most-borrowed books from Vancouver libraries in 2024
What have Vancouverites been reading in 2024? The Vancouver Public Library has released its lineup of the books that kept flying off the shelf this year, which can serve as inspiration for bookworms’ 2025 reading lists.
-
Cat food that caused bird-flu death of Oregon pet was distributed in B.C.: officials
Pet food contaminated with bird flu – which killed a house cat in Oregon – was distributed and sold in British Columbia, according to officials south of the border.
Vancouver Island
-
Multiple sailing waits for BC Ferries after further cancellations
BC Ferries cancelled multiple early morning sailings between the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island Thursday morning, as weather warnings due to wind and heavy rain remain in effect.
-
Avalanche risk 'extreme' for parts of B.C. coast
The avalanche danger rating for mountains on B.C.’s South Coast was “extreme” on Boxing Day, according to Canada’s non-profit forecaster.
-
Cat food that caused bird-flu death of Oregon pet was distributed in B.C.: officials
Pet food contaminated with bird flu – which killed a house cat in Oregon – was distributed and sold in British Columbia, according to officials south of the border.
Kelowna
-
Forfeited Hells Angels clubhouse in Kelowna, B.C., sold to the city
A former Hells Angels clubhouse that was seized by the British Columbia government in 2023 after years of fighting in court has been sold to the City of Kelowna.
-
Death of woman found in Kelowna's Waterfront Park in June deemed 'non-criminal in nature': RCMP
Police in Kelowna say a death they began investigating back in June has now been confirmed as "non-criminal in nature."
-
B.C. man sentenced for 'execution-style' murder of bystander in drug trade conflict
A B.C. man convicted of the "intentional and ruthless killing of a bystander" while acting as an enforcer in the drug trade has been sentenced for a second time in the slaying.
