John Turner, has died at the age of 91. He was a Liberal party politician who served stints as Canada’s justice and finance ministers before a very brief turn as the country’s 17th prime minister.
A former aide speaking on behalf of Turner’s relatives says Turner died peacefully in his sleep at home in Toronto on Friday night. Turner failed to live up to the great expectations of his early career, governing for just 79 days in 1984 after a difficult, decades-long climb to the top job. As justice minister in Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau’s Cabinet from 1968 to 1972, Turner proposed a national legal aid system and created the Federal Court, among other reforms. He was then finance minister for three turbulent years, marked by high unemployment and high rates of inflation.
On Saturday, legislators from across the Canadian political spectrum shared their memories of Turner, whom many described as being deeply devoted to the public service, and sent their condolences to his family.
Former Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who held the post from 2006 to 2015, said Turner “served his family and country with great dignity”.
“His legacy and commitment to public service will be remembered for generations,” Harper tweeted.
Liberal parliament member Yvan Baker said Turner was one of his early political role models.
“Canada meant everything to him, and he will be remembered for his life-long & distinguished service to this country,” Baker wrote on Twitter, alongside an image of himself with the late former prime minister.
