featured-image

MONTREAL — It’s the end of an era for a giant of Quebec media. Known as the “king of the airwaves,” radio personality Paul Arcand will step away Friday from his wildly popular morning show on Montreal’s 98.5 FM.

His departure from “Puisqu’il faut se lever” — which translates to “Since we have to get up” — has sent ripples across the province and has prompted a flood of tributes from politicians, journalists and members of the public. “(His show) is almost a religion,” said Claudine Blais, a guest professor of journalism at Université de Montréal and a former journalist with Radio-Canada. “It’s almost like going to church or going to mass for those who work in politics or media.



Paul Arcand is indispensable.” Known for his direct style and distaste for political doublespeak, Arcand has been a fixture of morning talk radio in Quebec for 34 years. He has been at 98.

5 for the last two decades, where his show is a required stop for politicians and cultural icons alike. In the last few months, his guests have included Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, Quebec Premier François Legault and singer Roch Voisine. “It’s the start of the day in Quebec politics,” said TVA host Paul Larocque, who worked with Arcand at a Montreal-area radio station in the 1980s and 1990s.

Even in those early days, Larocque said, it was “written in the sky” that Arcand would make it big. “He’s tough but fair,” Larocque said. “Right to the point.

” Arcand’s .

Back to Entertainment Page