Article Author:
Canadian Press
Stephanie Taylor
OTTAWA — Canadian politics past and present Monday after learning of the death of Bill Graham, who served as foreign minister when the country decided not to join the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq. Condolences flooded the home.
Mr. Graham will be remembered as a master negotiator and a seasoned politician who shared his love for Canada with the world. ', Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in a statement Monday night.
Former liberal MP John English told the Canadian Press that Graham died on Sunday.
English said Graham had cancer and after being in poor health for some time he passed away peacefully.
"He was a fun guy. I went drinking with him just three or four weeks ago. He wasn't drinking. He enjoyed good wine, but I could not join us," he recalled.
"He's such an amazing being. He's so positive, so optimistic. He should be taken seriously, but he's never taken himself seriously. He's full of laughter." He laughed so easily.”
Graham, 83, was the president of Trinity College at the University of Toronto. He and his wife Catherine were both students there and got married in the chapel. They had two children from him, Katie and Patrick.
Graham was elected Liberal MP in the 1993 election then known as Toronto His Center-Rosedale, but he failed to run twice.
His former colleagues have praised Graham as an able member of Congress who spent time on the back bench before entering the Cabinet and who demonstrated a deep passion for helping people in his community. did.
Graham had an amazing way of connecting with people regardless of their background, said George Smitherman, who Graham represented the downtown Toronto area for the federal government as well as the Liberal Party.
Smitherman, who is gay, first arrived at what is now known as the Toronto Center as a child, finding comfort in his sexuality. , said it was when Graham and local liberals were implanting AIDS. Activism in their politics.
"It was him, to me, one of the most defining attributes of the way a political party should be run," Smitherman said.
"It has had a huge impact on my life."
Longtime liberal Congressman John MacKay said Graham was "a complete politician."
``Voter, national, international. was," he added.
In January 2002, months after the 9/11 terrorist attacks rocked the world, Graham was appointed to the Cabinet by then-Prime Minister Jean Chrétien as Minister of Foreign Affairs.
At that time, Canada had to decide whether to participate in the US-led invasion of Iraq, and if it chose not to participate, it would have to navigate relations with its closest allies. was.
Graham was acclaimed not only for his assistance in the decision, but also for handling the role holistically during a tumultuous time in international relations. was an outstanding Foreign Secretary and an effective Member of Parliament," tweeted John Baird, who served as Foreign Secretary under former Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
After working in foreign affairs, Graham transferred to the Department of Defense.
Eugene Lang, who was his chief of staff at the time, said Graham had traveled extensively before entering politics and was liked by most, including members of Congress and civil servants of various political parties.
"He treated everyone with great respect. There was no arrogance in Bill." Although Graham has been in the role of Minister of Defense for less than two years, he has achieved a lot, securing funding and recommending the appointment of Rick Hillier as Chief of Defense. 86}
Former Liberal Prime Minister Paul Martin issued a statement after learning of Graham's death, saying, ``When I was sent to Kandahar in southern Afghanistan, I saw the government and country weather a difficult period in history. I helped the
"His loss will be felt by all who knew or worked with him." to the Conservatives, and after Martin resigned, Graham became the party's interim leader.
"The Liberals owe him a great deal," said Mr McKay, who said he was the obvious choice for many.
According to Harper, Mr Graham was the first formal opposition leader he faced after taking power.
"Bill was always a gentleman," he tweeted.
"He always had the country's best interests in mind." While serving as House leader, he called his former colleagues "wise and thoughtful, especially in matters of foreign policy and defense."
"In an era of deep polarization and extreme populism, Bill's sense of moderation, relevance and balance is sorely lacking. I am surrounding my colleagues," Goodale said in a statement.
Her longtime Liberal Party minister, Carolyn Bennett, remembers Mr Graham as someone who made him feel at ease with everyone and was a generous ear to conversation. said.
"No one else wants to eat with us, and I think that's what many of us are feeling," she said on Monday.
111} "He was very special. I can't believe he's gone," Bennett said, raising his voice.
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