Learn / People who shaped Canada
John Turner
Seventy-nine days in office, and one televised line about free trade that nearly turned an election.
Life story
- June 7, 1929 · Richmond, England
Born at Richmond in Surrey; raised in Ottawa and Vancouver - 1968 · Ottawa
Became justice minister under Trudeau and oversaw sweeping Criminal Code reform - June 30, 1984 · Ottawa
Became prime minister on Trudeau's retirement - September 17, 1984 · Ottawa
Left office after 79 days and the second-worst Liberal defeat on record - October 25, 1988 · Ottawa
Fought the free trade election on the debate line that he had cancelled Canada's independence - September 19, 2020 · Toronto
Died in Toronto