OTTAWA-
Condolences from Canadian politicians past and present poured out Monday as they learned of the death of Bill Graham, who served as foreign minister when the country decided not to join the US invasion of Iraq in 2003.
Former Liberal MP John English told The Canadian Press that Graham died on Sunday, according to a family member who shared the news with him on Monday.
English said he had cancer and died peacefully after being in poor health for some time.
“He was a fun guy. I went out with him for drinks just three or four weeks ago. He didn’t drink… He enjoyed a nice glass of wine but couldn’t join us,” she recalled.
“He’s such a wonderful presence. So positive, so upbeat. He’s a person to take seriously, but he never took himself seriously. He was full of laughter. He laughed so easily.”
Graham, 83, was first elected as a Liberal Member of Parliament for what was then known as Toronto Centre-Rosedale in 1993 after two unsuccessful races.
Former colleagues praised Graham as a skilled parliamentarian, who spent time on the back bench before entering cabinet, and someone who demonstrated a deep passion for helping members of his community.
George Smitherman, who represented the same area of downtown Toronto for liberals at the provincial level as Graham did at the federal level, said Graham had a remarkable way of connecting with people, no matter where they came from.
Smitherman, who is gay, said he first came to what is now known as the Toronto Center as a boy and found solace in his sexuality and by this time Graham and local liberals had integrated AIDS activism into their politics.
“That, to me, was one of the most defining attributes of how political parties should operate,” Smitherman said.
“It was really a huge impact on me in my life.”
Former Liberal MP John McKay says Graham was a “complete politician”.
“A good constituency person, a good national person and a good international person. Not many people can say that.”
“He was (an) immensely intelligent, decent and classy man,” he added.
In January 2002, months after the 9/11 terrorist attacks rocked the world, Graham was appointed to cabinet service as foreign minister by then-Prime Minister Jean Chretien.
At the time, Canada had to decide whether to join the US-led invasion of Iraq and then navigate its relationship with its closest ally when it chose not to.
Graham was roundly praised for not only assisting in that decision, but for his overall handling of the role at a turbulent time in international relations.
“He was an outstanding foreign minister and able parliamentarian,” tweeted John Baird, who served as foreign minister under former Conservative prime minister Stephen Harper.
After his time in foreign affairs, Graham was transferred to minister of national defense.
Eugene Lang was his chief of staff at the time and said Graham, who had traveled widely before entering politics, was liked by almost everyone, including MPs of different political persuasions and public service.
“He treated everyone with a lot of respect. There was no arrogance in Bill.”
Lang said that although Graham was only in the post of minister of national defense for less than two years, he had many accomplishments, including securing increased funding and also recommending the appointment of Rick Hillier as chief of defense staff.
Former Liberal Prime Minister Paul Martin issued a statement after learning of Graham’s death, saying he “helped our government and the country navigate a difficult period in history when we deployed to Kandahar in southern Afghanistan.”
“His loss will be felt by all who knew or worked with him.”
After the Liberals lost the government to the Conservatives in 2006 and Martin resigned, Graham took on the role of interim leader of the party.
“The Liberal Party owes him a huge debt of gratitude,” said McKay, who said he was an obvious choice for many.
Harper said Graham was the first official opposition leader he faced after winning the government.
“Bill was always a gentleman,” he tweeted.
“He always had the best interests of the country in mind.”
Carolyn Bennett, a longtime Liberal cabinet minister, remembers Graham as someone who was comfortable with everyone and a generous listener in conversation.
“There’s no one else you’d rather have dinner with. And I think that’s how a lot of us feel,” he said Monday.
“He was just so special. It’s really hard to believe he’s gone,” Bennett said, her voice cracking.
This report from The Canadian Press was first published on August 8, 2022.
— With files from Allison Jones and Jordan Omstead in Toronto
This report from The Canadian Press was first published on August 8, 2022.