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Former cabinet minister and ambassador John McCallum dies at 75
OTTAWA — Canada is mourning the loss of longtime Liberal cabinet minister and former ambassador to China John McCallum, who died Saturday at age 75. His family announced his passing on Sunday, saying he died peacefully surrounded by loved ones.
McCallum represented the Ontario riding of Markham from 2000 to 2015, serving under three Liberal prime ministers in key roles including immigration, defence and national revenue. In 2017, he was appointed Canada’s ambassador to China, a post he held during a difficult period in bilateral relations marked by the detention of Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor.
Political leaders from across the spectrum paid tribute to McCallum over the weekend, remembering him as a principled public servant with a deep commitment to Canada. They highlighted his decades of work in politics, diplomacy and academia, and his influence as both an economist and mentor.
Before entering public life, McCallum served as chief economist at the Royal Bank of Canada. He was also a professor of economics and later dean of arts at McGill University. His academic credentials included a well-regarded 1995 paper in the American Economic Review on cross-border trade between Canadian and U.S. regions.
Colleagues described McCallum as pragmatic and policy-focused, known for his wit, warm demeanour and steady leadership during times of crisis. He was remembered not only for his role in government but also for bridging the worlds of academia, business and politics with rare ease.
McCallum stepped down as ambassador to China in 2019 following comments he made about the extradition case of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou. His remarks at the time were seen as straying from the government’s official position, prompting Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to request his resignation.
Throughout his career, McCallum was recognized for his intellectual rigour and desire to use economics to improve lives. Family members called him a loving and kind man who cared deeply about public service. They have requested privacy as they grieve his loss.
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