Louis Plamondon has become the Member of Parliament with the longest continuous service in Canadian history, as recognized by his fellow parliamentarians. At 82 years old, he marked his 15,059th consecutive day as an MP, surpassing former prime minister Wilfrid Laurier’s record for uninterrupted service. Although Laurier spent more time overall in the House, with a total of 16,411 days, he briefly lost his seat in 1877, breaking his streak of unbroken service.
During a light-hearted moment in Parliament, Liberal MP Marc Miller jokingly acknowledged Plamondon’s achievement, humorously referencing his founding of the Bloc Québécois after leaving the Conservative Party in 1990. Plamondon has held the same seat, now named Bécancour-Nicolet-Saurel-Alnôbak, through 13 consecutive elections, representing a riding along the St. Lawrence River.
Described as the “Céline Dion of Parliament” by Bloc Québécois Leader Yves François Blanchet, Plamondon was praised for his dedication and service by colleagues. Despite the accolades, Plamondon humbly shared that serving his constituents was an indescribable honor.
As the longest-serving member in the House, Plamondon expressed no intentions of retiring and plans to run in the next election, provided his health remains strong. He likened his passion for politics to a drug and acknowledged the personal sacrifices he has made during his 41 years in Parliament under seven prime ministers.
After the recent passing of his wife, Plamondon opened up about the loneliness he sometimes feels despite his busy schedule of engaging with constituents. He emphasized the importance of personal connections and credited his political longevity to regular interactions with people.
Throughout his illustrious career, Plamondon has held various roles within the Bloc Québécois, including serving as the House leader and interim Speaker of the House in 2023. His unique position as a Quebec separatist in the role of Speaker sparked interest and amusement among his colleagues.
Plamondon’s dedication to his constituents, tireless work ethic, and enduring commitment to public service have solidified his legacy as a respected and long-serving Member of Parliament in Canadian history.