In 1957, Coicou fled Haiti during the regime of François Duvalier. He moved to Canada and settled in Montreal, Quebec, at the age of 22. He studied mechanics, and was hired by Québec Cartier Mining, leading him to Gagnon, a mining town in the Côte-Nord region. 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.
