TORONTO, Oct. 1, 2020 /CNW/ – The Government of Canada will hold a state funeral for the Right Honourable John Napier Wyndham Turner, who passed away at the age of 91 on September 19, 2020.
A statement from Canadian Heritage says private church service will be held on October 6, 2020, at St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica in Toronto. The ceremony is by invitation only and will strictly follow public health COVID-19 protocols on mask wearing, sanitizing, physical distancing and congregating.
The family has asked that instead of flowers, donations be made to the World Wildlife Fund Canada and the Lake of the Woods Water Sustainability Foundation.
Canadians are invited to share their messages of sympathy in the online book of condolences.
At the request of the Canadian government, the national flags on the Peace Tower and all federal buildings and establishments in Canada are flying at half-mast to honour Turner’s memory. Flags will be at half-mast until the sunset on the day of his funeral.
Usually Canadian state funerals include public processions along the streets of Ottawa and periods of lying in state, usually in Parliament, to allow Canadians to pay final respects.
The last state funeral for a Canadian prime minister was for Pierre Trudeau in 2000.
Turner served as Canada’s Prime Minister for 79 days in the summer of 1984 after having served in numerous other capacities, including as Minister of Consumer and Corporate Affairs, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, Minister of Finance, and he also served as the Leader of the Opposition during the Mulroney years.
“Through three decades of public service as a cabinet minister, Leader of the Opposition, and 17th Prime Minister of Canada (1984), he was tirelessly devoted to upholding Canadian values and principles,” Canadian Heritage said in its statement.
While Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said, “Mr. Turner was a humble man with a strong social conscience. He supported many charitable organizations, including Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto. He was also an honorary director of World Wildlife Fund Canada and an ardent advocate for the protection of Canada’s lakes and rivers.”
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