About René Coicou
René Coicou, 84, Haitian-born Canadian politician, mayor of Gagnon (1973–1985).
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Full Biography
|René Coicou (30 May 1935 – 2 March 2020) was a Haitian-Canadian politician, who served as the last mayor of Gagnon, Quebec from 1973 to 1985, making him the first black mayor in Quebec.
Biography
In 1957, Coicou fled Haiti during the regime of François Duvalier. He moved to Canada and settled in Montreal, Quebec, at the age of 22. He studied mechanics, and was hired by Québec Cartier Mining Company, leading him to Gagnon, a mining town in the Côte-Nord region. He soon became a highly respected member of the mining community, and, after advice from his friends, Coicou ran for mayor in 1973. He was elected, and reelected in the following two elections. However, after an economic collapse due to poor output from the mines, Coicou had to announce to the town's 2000 residents that Gagnon would officially be closed on 30 June 1985.
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Sources
- Wikipedia
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ren%C3%A9_Coicou
- CC BY-SA 4.0
- Sep 26, 2026
- View article
- Sep 26, 2026
Trivia & Knowledge· 16 questions
Questions drawn from René Coicou's archived record and the sources above.
1.What subject did René Coicou study upon arriving in Canada?
- A.Engineering
- B.Mining technology
- C.Political science
- D.Mechanicscorrect
After moving to Canada, René Coicou studied mechanics.
Source: biography section
2.Which company hired René Coicou after he finished his studies?
- A.Québec Cartier Mining Companycorrect
- B.Côte-Nord Exploration
- C.Hydro-Québec
- D.Montreal Steelworks
René Coicou was hired by the Québec Cartier Mining Company.
Source: biography section
3.In what year did René Coicou first become mayor of Gagnon?
- A.1980
- B.1970
- C.1973correct
- D.1975
René Coicou was elected as the mayor of Gagnon in 1973.
Source: biography section
4.What historical distinction does René Coicou hold as a mayor in Quebec?
- A.The first black mayor in Quebeccorrect
- B.The youngest mayor in Quebec history
- C.The longest-serving mayor of a mining town
- D.The first mayor born in Montreal
René Coicou served as the first black mayor in Quebec.
Source: biography header
5.In which Canadian region is the town of Gagnon located?
- A.Gaspésie
- B.Bas-Saint-Laurent
- C.Côte-Nordcorrect
- D.Laurentides
René Coicou worked in Gagnon, which is a mining town in the Côte-Nord region.
Source: biography section
6.Who suggested that René Coicou should run for mayor of Gagnon?
- A.His business partners
- B.His family members
- C.The provincial premier
- D.His friendscorrect
René Coicou decided to run for mayor in 1973 after receiving advice from his friends.
Source: biography section
7.What was the population of Gagnon when René Coicou announced its closure?
- A.500
- B.1500
- C.5000
- D.2000correct
René Coicou announced the closure of Gagnon to the town's 2000 residents.
Source: biography section
8.What was the primary reason for the closure of the town of Gagnon?
- A.A relocation of the regional infrastructure
- B.The end of a government contract
- C.A severe natural disaster
- D.Economic collapse due to poor mine outputcorrect
The town of Gagnon faced an economic collapse due to poor output from the mines.
Source: biography section
9.On what date did the town of Gagnon officially close?
- A.30 June 1985correct
- B.31 December 1985
- C.1 January 1985
- D.15 August 1985
René Coicou announced that the town of Gagnon would officially close on 30 June 1985.
Source: biography section
10.In which city did René Coicou initially settle upon arriving in Canada?
- A.Sherbrooke
- B.Gagnon
- C.Quebec City
- D.Montrealcorrect
René Coicou moved to Canada and settled in Montreal at the age of 22.
Source: biography section
11.What was the final year of René Coicou's tenure as the mayor of Gagnon?
- A.1982
- B.1985correct
- C.1984
- D.1983
René Coicou served as the mayor of Gagnon from 1973 to 1985.
Source: biographical header
12.When did René Coicou die?
- A.22 November 2019
- B.15 May 2018
- C.2 March 2020correct
- D.10 January 2021
René Coicou died on 2 March 2020.
Source: biographical header
13.How old was René Coicou at the time of his death?
- A.86
- B.78
- C.84correct
- D.82
René Coicou was 84 years old at the time of his death.
Source: biographical header
14.When was René Coicou born?
- A.15 June 1937
- B.20 April 1930
- C.30 May 1935correct
- D.12 August 1940
René Coicou was born on 30 May 1935.
Source: biographical header
15.René Coicou fled his home country in 1957 due to the regime of which leader?
- A.François Duvaliercorrect
- B.René Préval
- C.Jean-Claude Duvalier
- D.Aristide Hippolyte
René Coicou fled Haiti in 1957 during the regime of François Duvalier.
Source: biography section
16.At what age did René Coicou arrive in Canada?
- A.25
- B.18
- C.20
- D.22correct
René Coicou moved to Canada and settled in Montreal at the age of 22.
Source: biography section
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