Close X
Saturday, November 2, 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

Sentencing underway in fatal Walmart shooting

Sentencing underway in fatal Walmart shooting
RCMP said at the time that a masked man armed with a sawed-off semi-automatic rifle shot Williams, who was 69, in front of his wife in the store's parking lot during an attempted robbery.

Sentencing underway in fatal Walmart shooting

MLA Jinny Sims sets sights on Surrey mayor's chair

MLA Jinny Sims sets sights on Surrey mayor's chair
Sims made it official Wednesday at an event with the newly formed municipal party Surrey Forward and the party's four declared council candidates, Ramon Bandong, Jim Bennett, June Liu and Theresa Pidcock.

MLA Jinny Sims sets sights on Surrey mayor's chair

Empty motorboat prompts search off Vancouver

Empty motorboat prompts search off Vancouver
An official with the Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre says the search began Wednesday afternoon when the five-metre rental motorboat was spotted adrift in English Bay.    

Empty motorboat prompts search off Vancouver

Crews continue to investigate Cambie Rd Overpass crash

Crews continue to investigate Cambie Rd Overpass crash
 A truck struck the overpass and southbound Hwy 99 remains blocked. The detour is down to the Shell Road exit.

Crews continue to investigate Cambie Rd Overpass crash

Feds working on measures to end airport delays

Feds working on measures to end airport delays
People travelling through Canadian airports have been experiencing long lines and flight delays as post-pandemic travel ramps up, particularly at Toronto Pearson airport.

Feds working on measures to end airport delays

Russian disinformation on Twitter targets Canada

Russian disinformation on Twitter targets Canada
A University of Calgary analysis of over 6 million tweets and retweets — and where they originate from — has found that Canada is being targeted by foreign powers trying to influence public opinion here.

Russian disinformation on Twitter targets Canada