Condolence: Flora MacDonald was a great Canadian woman of principle and boundless energy, who fought tirelessly for women's rights, the underprivileged and the disenfranchised. All of us should reflect on her exemplary model. She will be missed.

Condolence: The Royal Commonwealth Society of Canada is greatly saddened by the passing of an outstanding Canadian and staunch supporter of the Commonwealth and the Society, Flora MacDonald. One of her greatest achievements is the establishment in Burnabt B.C. of the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) which encourages the development and sharing of open learning/distance education knowledge, resources and technologies, including a virtual university for small island states. COL will be a lasting tribute to her dedication to international development and the vital importance of education. Canada, the Commonwealth and indeed the world will celebrate the accomplishments of this wonderful woman.
Eleanor Ryan, Secretary, RCS Canada

Condolence: I mourn the loss of a great women and pioneer. I had the good fortune of serving as a Parliamentary Intern in Flora's office in 1981. Her dedication, commitment to public service and professionalism were truly inspiring. She is the last of a generation.

Robert Peck

Condolence: We have made a donation to CARE Canada to honour the memory of Flora MacDonald, a great internationalist and intrepid soul who did so much for women and girls, for the displaced and for people who seek a better life everywhere. She will be much missed. Our sympathies go to her family and friends.

Condolence: It is with deepest sorrow we learn of Ms. Flora MacDonald's passing on Sunday, July 27.
The Honourable Minister MacDonald was a prominent Canadian stateswoman and a great humanitarian. During her tenure in Prime Minister Joe Clark's Cabinet, the Minister was the first female Secretary of State for External Affairs in Canadian history, and one of the first female Foreign Ministers in the world.
Minister MacDonald was instrumental in saving tens of thousands of South Vietnamese in the early 1980's, by developing a federal matching program together with the generous Canadian public to sponsor and rescue "Boat People" from inhumane refugee camps across South-East Asia.
Following the invasion of South Vietnam by the North Vietnamese Communists on April 30, 1975, a million and a half people fled the country, risking their lives in search of freedom and democracy, mostly in small leaky boats over the perilous Eastern Sea, aka South China Sea. Hundreds of thousands of these refugees perished at sea by drowning or starvation, or were ravaged or massacred by sea pirates.
The federal government at the time under Prime Minister Joe Clark, at the urging of Minister MacDonald and Employment and Immigration Minister Ron Atkey, announced on July 18, 1979 that the refugee quota would be increased from 8,000 to 50,000. This quota was later revised to 60,000 and, by the end of 1980, 64,000 Vietnamese refugees were admitted for resettlement in Canada, mostly in Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa. At the refugee conference convened by the United Nations in Geneva on July 20, 1979 the Honourable Minister MacDonald emphatically denounced the Vietnamese Communist government's violations of human rights which, she said, were the main cause for the outflow of refugees from the country.
The Vietnamese Association, Toronto joins its other brethren Vietnamese-Canadian Communities in Canada are forever grateful for her immeasurable compassion and humanitarian support. The Honourable Minister will be fondly remembered within the hearts of all Vietnamese-Canadians.

Phat Nguyen
President

Condolence: She taught us so much. A trailblazer for women in the foreign service. I feel privileged to have known her.

Condolence: It was my understanding that Flora was the first MP to open a Constituency Office, paying for it out of her own salary. And I, as a fellow Nova Scotian who had just moved to Kingston, was among those who staffed that first office. I left after 5 years to pursue further studies just as she became the first woman Secretary of State for External Affairs. During my time at the office, I learned a great deal, and remember her receiving requests for assistance from across the country, regardless of any party affiliation. One letter arrived addressed simply - Flora, Kingston, ON. We were to do something about every single one. Her integrity was without question. Canada and its people had top priority. I felt it was a loss that she never got to be leader of a great party that has now ceased to exist. What she did in her later years were feats I’d never have attempted myself at a much younger age. Along with Sally Armstrong, she put the focus on the people, especially woman and children of Afghanistan.

My sincere sympathies to the members of her proud family.

Beverley Burlock, Port Mouton, NS

Condolence: Dear Members of the Macdonald Family,
Please accept my sincere condolences and those of my colleagues at Carleton University. Flora was both a personal friend and a highly respected Canadian whose many contributions included educational institutions and Carleton. She was very smart, always helpful and positive. I shall miss her and we will all treasure her memory with gratitude for her extraordinary contribution to Canada and the world.
Sincerely yours,
Roseann O'Reilly Runte
President, CArleton uNIVERSITY

Condolence: Some time in the late '80's, while in Ottawa, I spotted Ms. MacDonald at the entrance of the Chateau Laurier. I raced up to her, nearly knocking her off the curb, seizing the opportunity to express my admiration. Ever gracious, she accepted my enthusiasm and gave me an unforgettable moment. Who could believe such an amazing woman could be successful politician? She gave me hope for my life and made me proud to be Canadian.

Condolence: Condolences to brother Ron and other members of Ms. MacDonald's family. She was truly one of a kind. Integrity, honest, care for others...the fact she did not become part leader (and potentially Prime Minister) was Canada's loss. RIP Flora MacDonald...I am proud to be a fellow Nova Scotian.

Bob Miller,Oxford, N.s./Riverview, N.B.