Charest announces state funeral for Claude Bechard

QUEBEC - Quebec's premier paid tribute Wednesday to a youthful member of his cabinet who died from cancer, announcing there will be a state funeral for Claude Bechard.

Premier Jean Charest said funeral details were still being worked out with Bechard's family.

The 41-year-old held a variety of roles and continued in the intergovernmental affairs and agriculture portfolios until shortly before he died.

Charest said he opposed his minister's decision to keep working and that he offered to relieve Bechard of his duties so he could focus on getting better.

But he said Bechard refused and wanted to keep working until the end.

"Before politics, there is life," Charest said.

"And for Claude, politics was his life."

Charest told a news conference Wednesday that he was moved by all the kind wishes he's heard from Quebecers.

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  Claude Bechard, a youthful Quebec cabinet minister who soldiered on in his post despite suffering from terminal cancer, died Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2010 at the age of 41. (Jacques Boissinot / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

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  Quebec Premier Jean Charest wipes his eyes as he climbs the stairs back to his office after commenting on the resignation of cabinet minister Claude Bechard, in Quebec City, Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2010. (Jacques Boissinot / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

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  Claude Bechard, assistant legislature leader, responds to media questions at a news conference after question period Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2009 at the Quebec legislature. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot)