Bill Graham, the foreign affairs minister at the time that Canada chose not to support the American invasion of Iraq in 2003, has passed away.
How Did Bill Graham Die?
At the age of 83, Bill Graham, a former Canadian defence and foreign affairs minister, passed away.
On Monday afternoon, a number of top Liberals, cabinet ministers, current and former Canadian politicians, as well as members of the defence and security sector, shared news of the passing of the former interim Liberal leader on social media.
According to a family member who informed him earlier today, Graham passed away on Sunday, according to former Liberal MP John English, who spoke to The Canadian Press.
According to a family member who informed him earlier today, Graham passed away on Sunday, the former Liberal MP John English told The Canadian Press.
Bill Graham wiki
After two unsuccessful campaigns, Graham was finally chosen as a Liberal member of Parliament for the Toronto Centre-Rosedale riding in 1993.
He was chosen by former prime minister Jean Chretien to serve as foreign affairs minister in January 2002, months after the 9/11 terrorist attacks devastated the globe.
Canada at the time had to choose whether to take part in the American-led invasion of Iraq and then manage its relationship with its closest friend after making that decision.
I’m saddened to hear of the passing of my friend and mentor Bill Graham. He was a giant in Canadian and international politics. He wore his love for Canada on his sleeve. My condolences to his family.
— Omar Alghabra (@OmarAlghabra) August 8, 2022
Graham then held the position of minister of national defence, and in 2006, after Stephen Harper’s Conservatives won the election, Graham took over as acting leader of the Liberal Party after Paul Martin resigned.
Bill Graham was the first Leader of the Opposition I had when I was Prime Minister. Even while a determined opponent, Bill was always a gentleman, and he always kept the best interests of the country in mind. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.
— Stephen Harper (@stephenharper) August 8, 2022
Bill Graham brought a dignity to politics that he brought to life. He relished both. His wit was so cutting it impressed even this Newfoundlander, but it’s his kindness that I’ll remember even more fondly. Bill served his country and his Party when they needed him. Rest In Peace.
— Seamus O'Regan Jr (@SeamusORegan) August 8, 2022
The world has lost an important statesman.
— Anita Anand (@AnitaAnandMP) August 8, 2022
I am saddened to learn that Bill Graham has passed away. Bill was a great Canadian who made incredible contributions to public life. I will miss my conversations with him, and I express my sincere condolences to his loved ones.
Later, Graham informed the Senate National Security and Defence Committee that he thought the opposition stemmed from the fact that George W. Bush, the American president who was pushing the concept, was extremely unpopular.
In the 2014 statement, Graham stated, “You never know, we would have said yes if it had been President Obama asking with his attitude.”
“Ballistic missile defence is a part of the national defence system that we should be deeply involved in.”
It is still a significant problem for his successor, Defence Minister Anita Anand, who earlier this year pledged to improve Canadian radar and continental defence capabilities but is still dogged by concerns about how she will pay for it.
Graham also travelled to Hans Island in the Canadian Arctic, which infuriated Denmark, which claimed ownership of the island. Former Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen referred to the long-running conflict between Canada and Denmark as a “flag war” in 2005.
Canada and Denmark resolved their disagreement earlier this year and divided the desolate Arctic island.
Graham as chancellor of Trinity College at the University of Toronto
Graham most recently served as the chancellor of University of Toronto’s Trinity College.
In 2015, he received the Order of Canada designation.
After leaving office in 2007, he continued to be involved in defence and foreign policy, and he was one of the specialists who counselled one of his successors, Harjit Sajjan, on the federal government’s defence policy reset in the years leading up to its 2017 release.
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Graham’s book, The Call of the World, was published in 2018.
Beginning in 1993, Graham served as the representative for the Ontario riding formerly known as Toronto Centre — Rosedale; the riding’s name was later changed to Toronto Centre.
Graham worked as a lawyer before going into politics.
He graduated from the University of Toronto with a law degree in 1964 and afterwards attended the Université de Paris to acquire a doctorate. He was an attorney with the Toronto legal firm Fasken & Calvin.
Graham is survived by his wife Cathy and their two kids, Patrick and Katy.
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