Iona Campagnolo, B.C.’s first female lieutenant governor, has passed away at the age of 91.
Campagnolo, who was appointed as the province’s 27th lieutenant-governor in 2001, was a “trailblazer,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in a news release announcing her death. She was the first woman to hold the role and remained in the position until Sept. 30, 2007.
“Her relentless dedication, optimism and commitment to equality will leave a lasting mark on Canada.”
She championed many causes while serving as lieutenant-governor, including climate action, gender equality and reconciliation, Trudeau said.
WATCH | Remembering the life and legacy of Iona Campagnolo:
Carole Taylor, a former B.C. finance minister and host of B.C. Legends with Carole Taylor, interviewed Iona Campagnolo in 2022. Campagnolo was B.C.’s first female lieutenant governor and passed away at the age of 91.
The prime minister issued his condolences to her family and to B.C. residents in a statement, saying Canada had lost a role model for women in politics.
Campagnolo had a thriving career as a radio broadcaster in Prince Rupert before entering politics, according to the statement.
LISTEN | B.C. Lt.-Gov. Janet Austin remembers her mentor:
On The Coast6:21B.C. Lieutenant Governor Janet Austin remembers Iona Campagnolo
Janet Austin, B.C.’s lieutenant governor, remembers Iona Campagnolo, B.C.’s first woman lieutenant governor, who has died at the age of 91.
“A believer in the importance of public service, she later became a member of her local school board and city council, then was elected as a member of Parliament in 1974,” the statement reads.
Former B.C. finance minister Carole Taylor said she remembers Campagnolo as “gracious and thoughtful.”
Taylor, also the host of B.C. Legends, interviewed the former lieutenant-governor for her show back in 2022.
“She just makes me feel inspired,” the show host told CBC’s On The Coast. “The way she approached every job, she did it with such enthusiasm.”
LISTEN | Former B.C. finance minister Carole Taylor speaks about Campagnolo:
On The Coast7:46Former B.C. finance minister Carole Taylor remembers former B.C. lieutenant governor Iona Campagnolo
Carole Taylor, a former B.C. finance minister and host of B.C. Legends with Carole Taylor, interviewed Iona Campagnolo in 2022. Campagnolo was B.C.’s first female lieutenant governor and passed away at the age of 91.
Campagnolo’s resume was filled with many firsts, Taylor said.
She was the first woman to serve as president of the Liberal Party of Canada, she became the country’s first minister for fitness and amateur sport in 1996, and was also the founding chancellor of the University of Northern British Columbia,
“It may sound easy being the first, but whatever you are first at you have to break ground … and she just did it one [time] after another,” Taylor said.
Current B.C. Lt.-Gov. Janet Austin said she has always considered Campagnolo a mentor.
“She was a role model for many, including myself,” Austin said in an interview with CBC’s On The Coast host Gloria Macarenko.
“She was a passionate advocate for Indigenous rights and for women’s equality.”