By Canadian Press

Former Veterans Affairs minister Greg Thompson dies at 72 after life of service

Sep 13, 2019 | 6:38 AM

FREDERICTON — New Brunswick politician Greg Thompson, who served in both the provincial and federal cabinets — including time as minister of Veterans Affairs — has died at the age of 72. 

Thompson was first elected as a member of Parliament in 1988 and later re-elected in 1997, 2000, 2006 and 2008.

He served as minister of Veterans Affairs and regional minister for New Brunswick under former prime minister Stephen Harper.

In the mid-1990s Thompson was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin Lymphoma but battled the illness.

In 2018, he entered provincial politics and was elected in the riding of Saint Croix, then named minister of intergovernmental affairs.

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Premier Blaine Higgs says Thompson’s life was anchored in love of his family and service to others.

Higgs said he knows he’ll have to call a byelection, but during a period of mourning — and with a federal election underway — he’s in no rush to set a date.

New Brunswick Liberal Leader Kevin Vickers — a former sergeant-at-arms in Ottawa— said Thompson would often stop by his chair in the House of Commons to discuss the news of the day from back home.

He describes Thompson as a fine gentleman with a long history of serving the people of New Brunswick.

People’s Alliance Leader Kris Austin also offered his condolences and said Thompson had a legacy of public service in which he worked hard to serve the people he represented.

The Canadian Press