René Coicou


René Coicou was a Haitian-born 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 settled in Montreal at the age of 22. He studied mechanics, and was hired by Québec Cartier Mining, leading him to Gagnon, a mining town in Côte-Nord. 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.