Former New Democratic Party (NDP) leader Alexa McDonough died Saturday at the age of 77.
Posted at 9:42
His family confirmed his death in a statement. Alexa McDonough had suffered from Alzheimer’s disease for many years.
Mme McDonough was a pioneer. She was the first woman to lead a Canadian political party, when she was elected leader of the NDP in Nova Scotia in 1980. She held that position for 14 years. The politician was then the leader of the party at the federal level, from 1997 to 2003.
PHOTO ROBERT MAILLOUX, PRESS ARCHIVES
Alexa McDonough made a stop at MusiquePlus during the federal election campaign, November 13, 2000.
In 2010, she received the title of Officer of the Order of Canada for having “distinguished herself by her lifelong commitment to progressive change and social activism”, can we read on the site of the federal government.
Current NDP leader Jagmeet Singh reacted to his death on social media.
“Today is a sad day for Canada. Alexa McDonough was the first woman to lead a major party in the country. She dedicated her life to social justice, championed women in politics and never backed down from a challenge. She will be greatly missed. Rest in peace Alexa,” he wrote on Twitter.
With The Canadian Press