Former Canadian Senator Joyce Fairbairn at a news conference in Ottawa, Nov. 1, 2001. (Photo: The Canadian Press/Fred Chartrand)

By LNN Staff and The Canadian Press

Former Senator Joyce Fairbairn of Lethbridge dies at 82

Mar 30, 2022 | 1:32 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB — Former Canadian Senator Joyce Fairbairn has died at the age of 82.

Flags at Lethbridge City Hall have been lowered to honour the former senator from Lethbridge.

Acting Lethbridge Mayor Rajko Dodic released the following statement, “On behalf of Lethbridge City Council, we extend our sincerest condolences to the Fairbairn family. In my past Council experience, I had the pleasure of attending many occasion[s] with Senator Fairbairn and I always admired her dedication to public service. She was a builder and a trailblazer, not just here in Lethbridge but across the nation.”

Fairbairn began her career as a journalist, working in the parliamentary press gallery before entering the political realm, where she became an adviser to then-prime minister Pierre Trudeau.

During her nearly three decades in the upper chamber, Fairbairn was the first woman to be named as government leader in the Senate. She retired from the Senate in 2013.

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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called Fairbairn a “wonderful friend both to my father and me, a passionate and brilliant Albertan, and above all, a truly dedicated servant of Canada.”

“On behalf of the Government of Canada, Sophie and I extend our deepest condolences to Senator Fairbairn’s family and friends – we are grieving with you. She was a true champion for Canadians and will be dearly missed.”

Fairbairn was also a well-known supporter of the Canadian Paralympic Committee and was inducted into the Canadian Paralympic Hall of Fame as a builder in 2011.

In 2000, she helped found and became chair of the Canadian Paralympic Foundation, an organization that aims to ensure long-term financial support for athletes.

Here in Lethbridge, Senator Joyce Fairbairn Middle School was named in her honour, and the Lethbridge School Division says the school will carry on her legacy.

Flags outside of the west side school have been lowered in her honour, as well as flags outside of the Lethbridge Police Service (LPS).

Senator Joyce Fairbairn at an LPS medal ceremony in 2004. (Lethbridge Police)

LPS officials stated, “The flags at the Lethbridge Police Service are lowered in recognition of the passing of former Canadian senator Joyce Fairbairn, who was a passionate supporter of this community. Our condolences to her family & friends.”

Acting Mayor Dodic says Fairbairn’s energy will be missed throughout the community. “From my experience she was like the Energizer bunny – she never stopped. She was always advocating for her country, her province but even more so, on behalf of Lethbridge citizens. Her numerous contributions will be felt forever in our community. We will miss her.”

Senator Fairbairn passed away at St. Therese Villa in Lethbridge on Tuesday, March 29, 2022.

This report was compiled by The Canadian Press and LNN Staff and was first published March 30, 2022.