Michael Wilson, a highly respected former politician, businessman and passionate mental health advocate, has died at the age of 81.The University of Toronto, where Wilson served as chancellor from 2012 to 2018, confirmed his death in a post on its website Sunday evening, saying the school’s flag will fly at half-mast until Wilson’s funeral.The university’s president, Meric Gertler, called Wilson a “great Canadian” who improved many lives through his “comprehensive excellence, his unassuming generosity and his quiet compassion.”In an emailed statement Sunday, Mayor John Tory said the former federal finance minister — who helped negotiated the North American Free Trade Agreement and ushered in the federal goods and services tax — was “one of the most intelligent, decent people I have ever met, inside or outside of politics and public life.”“He was a steady, capable MP, minister and ambassador and led in historic changes such as free trade and the GST which transformed Canada for the good,” Tory said. “But if it’s possible, he may have contributed even more in his life after politics when he became a pioneer in raising awareness of mental illness and for his incredible contributions to post-secondary education through the University of Toronto.“Michael Wilson was a gentle, considerate giant in business, in public life, as a diplomat in Washington, and in our community,” he continued. “He will be sadly missed and on behalf of all of the people of the city of Toronto, I express sincere condolences to his wife, Margie, and the entire Wilson family.”Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Wilson’s “dedicated service” to Canadians will leave a lasting impact on the country.“We’ve lost a truly great Canadian. My condolences to his family and friends,” Trudeau wrote on Twitter.Former prime minister Stephen Harper, who appointed W ...
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