Former Veterans Affairs minister Greg Thompson dies at 72 after life of service

New Brunswick politician Greg Thompson, who served in both the provincial and federal cabinets — including time as minister of Veterans Affairs — has died at the age of 72.

Thompson was first elected as a member of Parliament in 1988 and later re-elected in 1997, 2000, 2006 and 2008.

He served as minister of Veterans Affairs and regional minister for New Brunswick under former prime minister Stephen Harper.

In the mid-1990s Thompson was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin Lymphoma but battled the illness.

In 2018, he entered provincial politics and was elected in the riding of Saint Croix, then named minister of intergovernmental affairs.

Premier Blaine Higgs says Thompson's life was anchored in love of his family and service to others.

Higgs said he knows he'll have to call a byelection, but during a period of mourning — and with a federal election underway — he's in no rush to set a date.

New Brunswick Liberal Leader Kevin Vickers — a former sergeant-at-arms in Ottawa— said Thompson would often stop by his chair in the House of Commons to discuss the news of the day from back home.

He describes Thompson as a fine gentleman with a long history of serving the people of New Brunswick.

People's Alliance Leader Kris Austin also offered his condolences and said Thompson had a legacy of public service in which he worked hard to serve the people he represented.