I had the pleasure of meeting and chatting with Mr. Fraser on a number of occasions at his senior residence in Vancouver. As the bagpiper at Remembrance and other events, I was happy to see him at each event,  properly attired in his Fraser kilt and anxious to talk about his Scottish ancestry, and of course, politics.  I was a young man when he was Speaker and Fisheries Minister, so I was thrilled to get to know this lovely man and his wife in Vancouver during his later years.

John was  a great mentor of mine who leaves behind so many happy and inspiring thoughts.

John was renowned as one of Canada’s greatest statesmen.  An MP who saw good in every noble soul, he never let partisanship derail his dignity.  He accomplished much, as a soldier, a lawyer, the Fisheries & Oceans Minister and Environment Minister under Prime Minister Mulroney, and, in the role where he really showed his stuff, as House Speaker, between 1986 and 1993.  In total, he served two decades in the House of Commons.  I wish his family and friends my sincerest condolences.

John was ever generous in doing his best to nudge me into worthy directions.

When he heard I had decided to pursue a seat in Parliament, he bade me to identify clearly my two or three priorities.  Those, he urged, should occupy my discretionary political time.  If I failed to focus on those two or three things, he warned, others would fill my life and time with their priorities.  A good lesson for anyone.

A doyen of the Conservative Party, he cared about traditions and institutions.  He instilled in me his “Four C’s of Conservatism”: competence, community, conservation, and compassion.  Not a bad handful of values for leaders of any party, but in his case, a way of creating a reliable compass.  Thank you, John!

Campers, Directors Habonim Dror Camp Miram are deeply saddened by the passing of the Honorable John A. Fraser.  
John was in the forefront of the fight against anti-Semitism.
For over three decades, he served as Chair of the camp’s building and finance committees.

Under his leadership, the camp was rebuilt.  Every year he made sure enough funds were raised so “no child turned away for lack of funds”.

In a lengthy article in the Jewish Independent dated November 1, 2013, he recalled that anti-Semitism was apparent while growing up in Vancouver.  

“I was very conscious of prejudice.  No Jews could join the Quilchena Golf Club, there were no Jews at the Vancouver Club”
In 2002, he was honoured by the Canadian Jewish Congress for his “extraordinary efforts and commitment to the cause of Soviet Jewry and Human Rights”.

John would visit the camp every summer and meet with the counsellors and campers.  On one occasion, he counselled the counsellors, “do not take anything for granted.  You cannot assume everything is going to be alright”.

He was referring to anti-Semitism.  

When interviewed, he was asked why did he get involved with Camp Miriam?  “I got involved because I wanted Jewish kids to be able to go somewhere every summer and be absolutely confident in being Jewish.  It was important for Jewish kids to fully understand the importance of their Jewishness and their history.  Camp Miriam is committed in developing leadership skills and instill in the campers a recognition of their responsibility in being productive and caring members of Canadian Society”.

His last visit to the camp was in 2016 with the opening of the Janusz Korczak Pavillion – a memorial to the six million victims of the Holocaust.  Together with Dr. Irene Bettinger and her daughter, Dana, the Honourable John Fraser consecrated the Pavillion.  John spoke to the over 300 campers, counsellors in attendance pointing out how proud they must and should be of being Jewish and Canadian.

When I became Minister of National Defence in June,1997, I faced several reports written by distinguished Canadians on reforms they recommended for the Canadian Forces.  The government endorsed the reforms recommended, but I needed someone to ensure that the Department and Uniformed leadership carried out the desired implementation. That's when I turned to John Fraser. He and I served in different parliamentary periods and different parties, but I was impressed with his integrity and his devotion to military service.  I knew he wanted to do what was best for the Forces and particularly the fine men and women who serve their country.  And he did ensure many a reform was put in place.   The Canadian Forces are better for his efforts.  I am sorry to see him go and offer my condolences to his family and friends.

IN MEMORY…
With the passing of John Allen Fraser Canada has lost one of the very best politicians ever to be elected to our Parliament. A man of unimpeachable integrity as well as progressive ideals and ideas, far and away John also was one of the best people one could ever know. I feel very privileged to have known and admired him a great deal.
I respected John for decades as a family friend, and a good friend to many in my heritage/faith community long before I was elected to succeed him as M.P. for Vancouver-South. He and I did support opposing political traditions in this country. Yet as party adversaries more importantly we shared many values, and joined in common cause advocating for many things that matter in and for our beloved British Columbia Province. As Speaker of the House of Commons he showed leadership in organizing and hosting the first ever Vaisakhi celebration on Parliament Hill. 
My dear friend John in a sense was responsible for my first election in 1993, since I would never have sought his seat in Parliament if he had not retired then. I held him in too much regard to have competed against John, and – frankly – I would never have risked the prospect of his leaving me in the political dust!
As a former federal Fisheries Minister I salute the Honourable John Fraser, P.C. as one of my most esteemed predecessors in that Portfolio. When asked, he always was there as a willing and able counsellor, informally providing me sound advice. As a man as much as a committed public servant, he was a model champion for crucial causes like environmental protection and salmon habitat (to name only a couple of his preoccupations before and since his lengthy, exemplary public life).
It truly is an honour to join with his countless friends and past colleagues, in and out of politics, to grieve the loss of this inspirational fellow Canadian whose wit, decency and dedication will be long remembered.  Deservedly, may he rest in peace.

[Harbance Singh] HERB DHALIWAL

I got to know John when I was elected MP for Vancouver Centre in 1988. As Speaker he was very kind to me, asking his own staff to help me learn the ropes in Ottawa. He was an excellent Speaker- very effective in managing the House of Commons- and he and Cate made Kingsmere a welcome oasis in the turbulent political life of Ottawa- whether at cozy dinners or in the Garden Parties where members of all parties could mix congenially. Although his role required him to be above the political fray, John was always deeply engaged in the issues of government and cared deeply about them. He was a great “Scot” and one of my favourite memories was being asked to give “the toast to the laddies” at a Burns Night Dinner he hosted. John loved my naughty humour and his laughter was the greatest reward for getting off a good joke. He laughed with his whole body. 
John Fraser represented all that was best about democracy and led a deservedly long and truly consequential life.
Condolences to all who loved and are missing him.

Heartfelt condolences to the Fraser family on the loss of a truly genuine and decent person who lived a full and exemplary life and personified what public service is all about.    In the over 50 years I have known him, it was clear that he was a man well ahead of his time on so many levels, the environment being but one example.   He did not just talk about it, he acted.     As the first elected Speaker of the House of Commons, he demonstrated on a daily basis the importance of a properly functioning Parliament where vigorous and often heated debate and  differing viewpoints were respected and honoured as a necessary and important element of democracy.  He took a dim view of those who resorted to excessive and bitter personal vitriol.        He will be missed.  Canada and his home province of British Columbia are better places thanks to John Fraser.

John was instrumental in helping found our conservation non-profit in the late 1990s, and kept supporting it for decades - lining us up with opportunities and providing wise council.  A true pragmatic gentleman and statesperson.  He could see through rhetoric pretty easily, and give you the short answer, with humour when appropriate.   Thanks, John, for standing up to fix the world for all of us!

As a neophyte member of parliament elected in 1988, my first vote in the House of Commons was to elect John as our Speaker. He was an impressive figure in the Speaker chair. His way of handling the discussions in the House of Commons contributed to calm down a sometime noisy group of MP. He was an example of dignity and competence for all of us and I learned a lot about our parliament procedures just watching him perform his duties in a most professionnal manner.
Sincere condolances to his family.
Charles Langlois. MP PC Manicouagan 1988-1993

John was truly one of Canada's finest public servants. He cared deeply for the country and had that unique capacity to see Canada whole. 
Arguably, he was one of Parliament's greatest speakers and was truly respected on both sides of the aisle. 
I had the pleasure of introducing John and Sergio Marchi to battling black flies and fly fishing in Labrador. 
John embraced the experience with his usual sense of celebration of nature's gifts. And of course he schooled Sergio and I on the appropriate way to enjoy fine scotch after a day on the water. Rest in peace John,
Brian Tobin

During my time in the House of Commons, John Fraser was the only authority who could quiet the crazy place with an adminishment delivered barely above a whisper. When he spoke, it mattered. Even in questionable French. We listened. He commanded respect and attention from the Speaker's chair, yet in private was gracious, humble, welcoming and collegial.

I admired this man. 

Thank you, Speaker Fraser, for providing me with an example of a life that matttered. My condolences and regards to those left behind.

I am saddened to learn the news of John's passing. There are  many words that describe John including friendly, thoughtful, helpful, caring, kind and more. Among his colleagues on all sides of the political fence he was known as one of the good guys. He was a very good Minister of Fisheries who made himself available and listened to fishermen and his Department before acting. He faced problems head on and was fair in such matters as distribution of fish quotas and licenses. This was never easy. He made our country a better place. Thank you, John!

John was a distinguished parliamentarian and one of our most prominent Speakers.  It was an honor for me to serve with him in the House of Commons and while we were there together, I came to regard him as a valued and respected friend. He did so much to instill a sense of dignity to the vocation of a public life. 
Keith Penner (a former MP)

Sad but privileged to have been an MP when he was Speaker.
Early on the Whip would not let me ask a question ( didn't like my question).
I asked John what I should do?
His advice just keep rising in your seat. On the 3rd day he recognized the Member for St Boniface and I got to ask my question. Unhappy Whip but neither John nor I cared. Democracy served
RIP my friend.

Hon John Fraser was a very fine speaker - clear thinking and clear speaking, intelligent, flexible with a sense of humor.  He was a pleasure to watch in action and a great contributor to the backbone of democracy.

Condolences to the family,
lorna marsden, former Senator

John Fraser and I first allied in the fight against the provincial BC government's drive in the late 1980s to log the Haida homelands' old growth trees. His important behind-the-scenes contributions to the creation of Gwaii Haanas National Park will be one of his forever legacies.
As Speaker, he was my kind boss for three years (1991-94), with an endearing flair for ceremony, respect for tradition, and sense of humour.  Memorably, we commiserated during two weeks of intense French lessons one summer at the St. Jean sur Richelieu military base. 
A 1987 article in his alma mater's newsletter nicely captured his wisdom as both a conservationist and Speaker. Among several insights with enduring relevance today:
"If we don't resolve how to treat our planet, all other issues become academic."
“This is no tea party; the Chamber is a place where people express views in an original and forceful way. We need free speech, and the basis of this, of course, is to speak freely, which is not possible without agreement on order. What is necessary is a sense of history and ceremony."
"Democracy doesn't function well without a sense of history.  We can't take freedom and civility for granted."
"I was unhappy that, because of the Charter (of Rights and Freedoms), there would be more political comment by politicians about appointments to the Bench. Such statement stems from a negative assumption that, because of the Charter, judges will yield to an expression of their own preferences as opposed to interpreting law that legislators lay down.”
He loved quoting Winston Churchill, whose famous portrait by Yousuf Karsh hung in the Speaker's study on the wall against which it was taken.  Among his favourite such quotes: 
"Asked once about the greatest quality a person could have, Churchill said, ‘Courage, for it guarantees all others'." 
To which John added: "And try to have a little fun every day."
It was fun and a privilege to work with him.   
My sincere condolences to the Fraser family.

I knew John since we were active together in the early 1970s on policy work for Rt. Hon Robert Stanfield, then Leader of the national PC Party -- I as a Stanfield staffer, he as a policy specialist  not yet elected to Parliament.  A decade later, we  were co-conspirators to save the planet... this time, I as Canada's Environment Minister (a position John had held in the Joe Clark government), he as Speaker of the House of Commons...from which position, he continued to strive mightily on our joint planet-saving cause.  John's greatest contribution was helping to save "South Moresby" in British Columbia as Canada's most precious national park (now Gwaii Haanas). John was one of the country's finest public servants and environmentalists and a dear friend of mine. I will miss him sorely.         Tom McMillan Boston/PEI


I had the privilege of working with Mr. Fraser from 1979 to 1982 as a parliamentary assistant. He was a mentor for me and shared his knowledge ultimately helping me to be successful in my career and in my private life. Mr. Fraser was a hard working, dedicated and focused person and above all ... a kind and decent individual. His work on the Acid Rain issue along with many other environmental challenges brought him huge measure of admiration and respect. His love of Canada never wavered as exemplified by his work on the Joint House of Commons and Senate Committee on the Patriation of the Constitution. These are but a few of his accomplishments in a life well lived. A friend of his once called him a "happener maker" as a result of his penchant for getting things done. He will be missed.
Walter Gifford

Elaine and I remember three little girls who we had the privilege to occasionally "babysit" during a leadership campaign.  Watching you   grow, stretch and and become wonderful young people helped our parenting skills years later.   Our thoughts are with you and our memories of John are vivid and delightful.  He influenced our lives for the better and the country was the better for him.  Condolences and sympathy.  Ed and Elaine Arundell

Dear Fraser Family,

Please accept my sincerest condolences on John’s passing.

He was a wonderful parliamentary colleague, and a wise and dedicated public servant. It was an honour to serve with him.

It was also great fun to share some moments away from the public glare, as was the case when we went fly fishing  in Labrador. He was good company and a fine story teller. What a special moment that was.

May he now RIP.

Sergio Marchi

OBITUARIO

John Allen Fraser

15 diciembre, 1931 – 7 abril, 2024

Mount Pleasant Universal Funeral Home

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