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170 guests invited State funeral for former PM John Turner to be held with pandemic restrictions

170 guests invited State funeral for former PM John Turner to be held with pandemic restrictions


TORONTO — Former Liberal prime minister John Turner is being laid to rest in Toronto today.

A state funeral will precede the internment.

Family, friends and dignitaries gather for John Turner's funeral for the former prime minister.

At a scale-back state funeral in Toronto, he recalled a loyal friend and majestic politician.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called Turner a "great Canadian" and said Turner tirelessly fought to protect the environment and to advance a more just Canada.

He recalled how Turner said that democracy doesn't happen by accident.

About 170 invited guests are expected to attend the funeral at the recently renovated St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica.


Organizers have limited the guest list in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Turner died at age 91 on Sept. 19.

Marc Kealey, a former aide speaking on behalf of Turner’s relatives as a family friend, told the Canadian Press that Turner died peacefully in his sleep at home.

He had spent decades in politics, serving as solicitor general and justice and finance ministers before his brief stint as prime minister in 1984. Turner governed for just 79 days in the summer after a difficult, decades-long climb to the top job.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau paid tribute to Turner in the House of Commons days after his death.

"He knew we could rise to any challenge, and meet any moment — if we believed in one another and stood together," he said.

"Today, more than ever, we need people like John. His legacy calls on us to not wait for change to happen, but to stand up and build a better country for everyone."

Today we remember him as a House of Commons man, a strong advocate for equality and a champion of our democracy, the prime minister said.He used to say that democracy doesn't happen by accident. He was right, Trudeau said.

John knew that keeping our democracy strong and independent meant that we needed to work hard to maintain it.

Former governor general David Johnston called Turner a man of "integrity, civility and practicality."

Former Progressive Conservative prime minister and cabinet minister Kim Campbell said she didn't always agree with Turner, but she always respected him. Calling him a remarkable Canadian, she said he had a decency about him that was widely admired.

Former Liberal cabinet minister Ralph Goodale called Turner a "wonderful friend" who was always helpful. He recalled how Turner kept track of his friends' birthdays and would call them with best wishes on their special day.

"That loyalty is one thing a lot of people will remember John for," he said.

Turner is being honoured with the scaled-back event featuring measures to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Past state funerals have included public processions in the streets of Ottawa and periods of lying in state — usually in Parliament — to give Canadians an opportunity to pay their final respects.

State funerals are rare. Only 31 state funerals have been held in Canada since Confederation in 1867, including 12 for prime ministers, seven for governors general and eight for cabinet ministers.

Deputy Conservative leader Candice Bergen said it is clear from the stories about him that Turner cared about individual Canadians, not just those he met in the corridors of power.

“Stories this week have been set in airplanes, taverns, church basements and coffee shops — stories of a man who took the extra time to know their stories and to remember their names,” she said.