Canadian politicians are expressing their sympathies to the family of Arizona Sen. John McCain, who has died of brain cancer at the age of 81.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wrote on Twitter that McCain was an American patriot and hero whose sacrifices for his country, and lifetime of public service, were an inspiration to millions.
Conservative party Leader Andrew Scheer praised McCain on Twitter, writing his decades of service in defence of freedom crossed party lines and touched freedom-loving people across borders.
Former prime minister Stephen Harper also expressed his sympathies, calling McCain an American hero, while former Progressive Conservative party leader Peter MacKay tweeted that freedom loving people everywhere are mourning the heartbreaking loss of a true voice for integrity and civility.
McCain was a war veteran who was captured in North Vietnam in 1967 and endured years of torture and abuse.
He died on Saturday after battling brain cancer for more than a year.
Senator John McCain was an American patriot and hero whose sacrifices for his country, and lifetime of public service, were an inspiration to millions. Canadians join Americans tonight in celebrating his life and mourning his passing.
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) August 26, 2018
Sad to learn of the passing of @SenJohnMcCain. His decades of service in defence of freedom crosses party lines and touches freedom-loving people across borders. On behalf of @CPC_HQ, I extend my condolences to his loved ones.
— Andrew Scheer (@AndrewScheer) August 26, 2018
Laureen and I are saddened to learn of the untimely loss of a great American hero, Senator John McCain. His valour comes second only to his service and dedication to family and country. May he Rest In Peace.
— Stephen Harper (@stephenharper) August 26, 2018
John Mccain Remembered As 'Friend Of Canada,' Advocate For Expanded NAFTA
Former prime minister Brian Mulroney is remembering John McCain as "a committed friend of Canada."
Mulroney says in a statement that the Arizona senator, who died of brain cancer on Saturday, "would always come down on the side of his friendship with us."
As recently as June, McCain tweeted his support for Canada after U.S. President Donald Trump called Prime Minister Justin Trudeau weak and dishonest.
The Republican senator wrote, "To our allies ... Americans stand with you, even if our president doesn't."
McCain, an avowed free-trader, had long supported renegotiating NAFTA, going so far as to make an unprecedented trip to Ottawa in the midst of his 2008 campaign for president to deliver a speech that called for expanding the tripartisan agreement.
Speaking to the Economic Club of Canada months ahead of the election, McCain lauded the pact for doubling cross-border trade, creating 25 million jobs in the U.S. and four million in Canada.
But he said there's more work to do, including resolving border delays that create "a serious impediment to trade, the equivalent of a tariff."
