Four members of the McGill community are among the 18 people honoured as 2025 Prix du Québec laureates, one of the highest distinctions awarded by the Quebec government. The prize is awarded to individuals whose exceptional careers have contributed to Quebec’s cultural and scientific vitality.
René Provost, the James McGill Professor of Justice Beyond the State, has won the Léon-Gérin Award for his contributions to the understanding of international law, humanitarian law and human rights in the context of armed conflicts.
Yvon Rivard, who taught creative writing in McGill’s Department of French Language and Literature for more than three decades until his retirement in 2008, received the Athanase-David Award for literature, one of Quebec’s most prestigious cultural honours.
And two members of the extended McGill community were also honoured: Clément Gosselin, a McGill engineering alumnus and pioneer in robotics, received the Marie-Victorin Award for his groundbreaking work in mechanical intelligence, while celebrated journalist and McGill alumna, and honorary doctorate recipient, Céline Galipeau earned the René-Lévesque Award for her outstanding career in broadcast journalism.
Prize comes as validation after doubts
Provost said that the fact that he at times has questioned the value of his work makes his Léon-Gérin Award all the more meaningful.
“I have sometimes had doubts about the usefulness of devoting so many years to trying to change, through the law, the seemingly irrepressible reality of war in human existence,” he said. “I wondered whether I would have been better off working on more immediate legal issues or joining a humanitarian organization such as the Red Cross that is active in the field.
“I see this award as validation of research that can make even a small contribution to combating the arbitrariness of war violence,” he said.
A matter of life and death
Provost’s journey into the law of armed conflict began in the early 1990s, when he worked as a volunteer lawyer for Human Rights Watch in New York on a project examining famine as a weapon of war.
“Thirty-five years later, the issue remains sadly as relevant as ever, in many parts of the globe,” he said. “This is one example among many from which one could conclude that everything remains to be done, that the effort is futile. My conviction is to the contrary – that the rules enshrined in the Geneva Conventions and even the ideals of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights have an impact on certain actors in certain contexts, which translates into choices in strategies or behaviours that make the difference between life and death for hundreds if not thousands of individuals. That is already something, and we must persevere to do even better.”
Provost’s work is challenging. His research often leads into moral and political grey zones where insurgent groups, international tribunals and humanitarian organizations collide. But Provost remains steadfast in his belief that even incremental change matters.
“It is all too easy to fall prey to cynicism and fatalism in the face of war,” he said. “Short of finding a way to eradicate it, we must continue to work through law to change practices and discourse in order to gradually reduce, even if only slightly, the injustice of war.”
Celebrating another McGill laureate: Yvon Rivard
Rivard has long been a major voice in Quebec and Canadian letters.
Born in Sainte-Thècle, Quebec, in 1945, A novelist, essayist and screenwriter, he has twice received the Governor General’s Literary Award, first in 1986 for his novel Les silences du corbeau, and again in 2013 for Aimer, enseigner. His 1996 novel Le Milieu du jour earned him the Grand Prix du livre de Montréal, while his screenplay for La Vie fantôme garnered a Genie Award nomination in 1992.
“Congratulations to Professor René Provost, whose groundbreaking legal scholarship continues to shape global conversations on justice. His work grounds legal theory in lived experience, particularly in conflict zones, where law intersects with culture, human rights, and the pursuit of peace,” said Dominique Bérubé, Vice-President (Research + Innovation).
“McGill also proudly celebrates Emeritus Professor Yvon Rivard and our alumni honoured by the Government of Québec this year. Their achievements and contributions have enriched the cultural life of Québec and reflect a profound commitment to advancing the well-being of communities across the province,” Bérubé said.
Established in 1977, the prizes celebrate excellence, creativity and innovation across a wide range of disciplines, from literature, performing arts and design to natural sciences, social sciences and biomedical research. Each year, laureates are recognized not only for advancing knowledge and culture, but also for enhancing Quebec’s influence and reputation, including at the international level.
The awards ceremony will take place on Nov. 25, at the Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec in Quebec City
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