Close X
Sunday, November 24, 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

Rogers to credit customers 5 days service after massive network outage

Rogers to credit customers 5 days service after massive network outage
The widespread Rogers service outage began on Friday morning and lasted at least 15 hours, knocking out access to many health-care, law enforcemen, 911, passport,  and banking services. Rogers CEO Tony Staffieri has attributed the outage to a network system failure after a maintenance update, adding that the "vast majority" of customers were back online.

Rogers to credit customers 5 days service after massive network outage

Woman violently assaulted by two strangers early Monday morning

Woman violently assaulted by two strangers early Monday morning
Residents near West 10th and Waterloo Street may see additional officers patrolling and knocking on doors. The suspects were men in their 20s who had their faces covered.

Woman violently assaulted by two strangers early Monday morning

Provinces still waiting on $2B for surgery backlog

Provinces still waiting on $2B for surgery backlog
Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos announced the one-time top-up to "expedite" surgeries on March 25, and he and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland introduced a bill in the House of Commons the same day to enable the funding.

Provinces still waiting on $2B for surgery backlog

Feds still not set on dental-care model

Feds still not set on dental-care model
As part of a confidence and supply deal with the NDP to avoid an election until 2025, the Liberals pledged to launch a federal dental-care program for low- and middle-income kids before the end of the year and aim to expand its eligibility over the next several years.

Feds still not set on dental-care model

Premiers tell feds to stop 'quibbling' over health

Premiers tell feds to stop 'quibbling' over health
It's been eight months since Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promised to meet with the premiers to address their request for stable, long-term health-care funding, and that meeting is overdue, Horgan told a news conference at the start of the final day of the premiers' Council of the Federation gathering in Victoria.

Premiers tell feds to stop 'quibbling' over health

Canadians worried about airport delays: poll

Canadians worried about airport delays: poll
A wide-ranging survey by Leger asked Canadians and Americans about issues including travel plans, airport delays and inflation. More than 80 per cent of Canadian respondents said they believe prices will keep going up, and 59 per cent say they think Canada is in an economic recession.    

Canadians worried about airport delays: poll