Former member of Parliament Kirsty Duncan dies at age 59

 Kirsty Duncan, the former Liberal cabinet minister and prominent scientist, passed away at 

the age of 59 on January 26, 2026, following a years-long battle with cancer.

Career Highlights

• Political Roles: She served as Canada's Minister of Science and Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities. She was also the Member of Parliament for Etobicoke North and served as Deputy Leader of the Government in the House of Commons.
• Scientific Achievement: Before politics, she was a renowned scientist who led an expedition to research the origins of the 1918 Spanish flu. She was a contributing member of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which won a Nobel Prize in 2007.
• Advocacy for Scientists: As Science Minister, she was credited with "unmuzzling" federal scientists and appointing Canada's first National Chief Scientific Adviser.

Advocacy and Personal Life

• Health Battle: Duncan was vocal about her journey with cancer, standing in solidarity with others facing the disease and advocating for the importance of science-based healthcare.
• Safe Sport: She was known as a tireless fighter against abuse in sports, working to create safer environments for athletes.
• Early Career: She was a child gymnast and later taught at several universities, including the University of Toronto and the University of Windsor.

Recent News Updates

• Death: News of her death broke on January 26, 2026, prompting tributes from across the political spectrum.
• Legacy: She is being remembered as a champion for women in STEM and an advocate for evidence-based policy making.