Former Minister Kirsty Duncan Passes Away at 59 After Cancer Fight

Kirsty Duncan, a former member of the Canadian Parliament and cabinet minister, has died at the age of 59 following a battle with cancer. Duncan had publicly shared her journey, which included multiple surgeries, radiation, and chemotherapy, after her diagnosis in 2023. Her passing has prompted an outpouring of tributes from political colleagues and friends, reflecting on her significant impact on Canadian public life.

Born on October 31, 1966, Duncan was elected as the Liberal MP for Etobicoke North five times between 2008 and 2025. She chose not to run in the last federal election called in 2021, marking the end of her political career. Ontario Premier Doug Ford expressed his sorrow on social media, remembering Duncan as a “devoted public servant” and a “wonderful person.”

During a news conference in Toronto on Monday, Ford emphasized Duncan’s dedication to her constituents, stating, “People don’t know this, but our family had a rule: we’d never run against Kirsty.” Members of Parliament observed a moment of silence on the floor of the House of Commons following an announcement of her death by Liberal MP Kevin Lamoureux. Deputy Speaker John Nater conveyed condolences from all parliamentarians, noting Duncan’s hard work, courage, and kindness.

Former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also paid tribute, describing her as curious and deeply committed to helping others. “She believed in knowledge, compassion, and service, and she brought those values into every conversation and every fight she took on,” Trudeau remarked on social media.

Duncan held various ministerial roles, including Minister of Science from 2015 to 2019 and Minister of Sport from 2018 to 2019. She briefly served as the Minister for Persons with Disabilities in 2018 before becoming the Deputy Government House Leader until 2021. Despite taking a medical leave on January 26, 2023, she continued to serve as an MP.

In her capacity as Minister of Sport, Duncan prioritized safe sport initiatives. During a Heritage Committee hearing on June 15, 2023, she called for a national inquiry into abuse in sports. “We must do everything in our power to address the many years of abuse—emotional, physical, psychological, sexual and verbal,” she stated. Duncan established a national toll-free confidential helpline for victims and announced that the federal government would draft a code of conduct for Canadian sports.

A lifelong athlete, Duncan was a competitive gymnast in her youth and later became an enthusiastic runner, participating in the Boston Marathon multiple times and competing in half-Ironman triathlons. Throughout her life, she coached, taught dance, and served as an athletics judge, advocating for physical fitness and addressing the challenges within competitive sports.

Her academic background was grounded in science; she earned her doctorate in geography from the University of Edinburgh after studying geography and anthropology at the University of Toronto. Duncan taught meteorology and climate change at the University of Windsor from 1993 to 2000. In 2003, she authored “Hunting the 1918 Flu: One Scientist’s Search for a Killer Virus,” detailing her research into the Spanish flu virus.

Duncan’s work on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change contributed to the panel being awarded a Nobel Prize in 2007. As Minister of Science, she advocated for evidence-based decision-making and reinstated the long-form census, emphasizing the importance of data in policy formulation.

Duncan openly discussed her cancer treatment during her final public appearances, offering support to others affected by cancer. “To those living with cancer, know that you’re not alone, and I stand with you,” she stated during the Heritage Committee hearing. She expressed gratitude for the healthcare professionals who provided her with compassionate care.

Kirsty Duncan’s legacy as a scientist, politician, and advocate for safe sport leaves a lasting impact on Canada. Her commitment to public service and dedication to improving the lives of others will be remembered by many.