Close X
Thursday, October 31, 2024
ADVT 
National

Canada's former foreign minister Bill Graham dies

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 08 Aug, 2022 02:53 PM
  • Canada's former foreign minister Bill Graham dies

OTTAWA - Bill Graham, who served as foreign affairs minister when Canada decided against joining the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003, has died.

Former Liberal MP John English told The Canadian Press that Graham died Sunday, according to a member of his family who shared the news with him earlier today.

Graham was first elected as a Liberal member of Parliament for the riding then known as Toronto Centre-Rosedale in 1993, after two unsuccessful runs.

“He was (an) immensely smart, decent, classy man," said former Liberal MP John McKay.

"I describe Bill as a complete politician: A good constituency person, a good national person and a good international person. Not many people can say that.”

In January 2002, months after the 9/11 terrorist attacks shook the world, Graham was appointed to serve as foreign affairs minister by then-prime minister Jean Chrétien.

At that time, Canada had to decide whether to join the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq and then navigate its relationship with its closest ally when it opted against doing so.

Graham was roundly praised for not only assisting in that decision, but his overall handling of the role at a turbulent time in international relations.

John Baird, who served as foreign affairs minister under former Conservative prime minister Stephen Harper praised Graham while expressing grief over his passing.

Minister of Transport Omar Alghabra offered his condolances over Graham's demise.

After his time in foreign affairs, Graham was moved to minister of national defence.

Eugene Lang was his chief of staff at the time and said he was well-liked by most everyone, including MPs of different political stripes.

Lang said while Graham was only in the role of national defence minister for less than two years, he had many accomplishments, including the recommended appointment of Rick Hillier as chief of defence staff.

After the Liberals lost government to the Conservatives in 2006 and former prime minister Paul Martin resigned, Graham stepped into the role of the party's interim leader.

“The Liberal party owes him a huge debt of gratitude," said McKay, who recalled Graham being an obvious choice for many.

MORE National ARTICLES

Two dead, one injured in Chilliwack shooting

Two dead, one injured in Chilliwack shooting
The RCMP's Upper Fraser Valley Regional Detachment says officers were called to the residence on McNaught Ave. near Yard Rd. at about 11 a.m. Thursday for reports of gunfire.When they arrived, they found the body of one woman, and a second woman with life-threatening gunshot wounds. She was airlifted to hospital, where she later died of her injuries.

Two dead, one injured in Chilliwack shooting

Surrey man charged with 17 criminal offences, gets 15 years imprisonment

Surrey man charged with 17 criminal offences, gets 15 years imprisonment
Brandon Nandan has pleased guilty to various charges including possession of controlled substances (Fentanyl, Cocaine and Methamphetamine) for the 
purpose of trafficking and counselling person A to commit the Indictable Offence of Discharging a Firearm with intent to 
endanger life, and possession of a loaded 9mm caliber Beretta model 92FS Semi automatic pistol. 

Surrey man charged with 17 criminal offences, gets 15 years imprisonment

Woman attacked in unprovoked stranger assault on a bus in June

Woman attacked in unprovoked stranger assault on a bus in June
As soon as the bus stopped, the suspect approached the victim as she was speaking with the bus operator.  Then, without provocation, allegedly punched her in the head and face several times, causing her to fall to the ground. He was last seen exiting the bus at Main Street and 64thAvenue.

Woman attacked in unprovoked stranger assault on a bus in June

B.C. ending immigration detention deal with CBSA

B.C. ending immigration detention deal with CBSA
The groups released a report in June 2021 saying immigrants with no criminal charges against them are detained in holding centres, federal prisons or provincial jails for "indeterminate amounts of time." They launched a campaign calling on B.C. to end its contract last October, and later expanded their push to Quebec and Nova Scotia.

B.C. ending immigration detention deal with CBSA

Highest court agrees B.C. man guilty of 1st-degre

Highest court agrees B.C. man guilty of 1st-degre
The Supreme Court of Canada decision released Thursday agrees with a B.C. Court of Appeal ruling last year that raised the conviction of Darren Sundman from second-degree murder to first-degree and imposed a minimum 25-year prison term before being eligible for parole.

Highest court agrees B.C. man guilty of 1st-degre

B.C. announces consumer protection for homebuyers

B.C. announces consumer protection for homebuyers
Finance Minister Selina Robinson says the consumer protection policy effective Jan. 1 is aimed at providing people with peace of mind as unconditional offers are common and could later end up costing buyers thousands of dollars in repairs.

B.C. announces consumer protection for homebuyers