Alexa McDonough remembered for her dedication to social justice

Canadian politicians from across the political spectrum are paying tribute to Alexa McDonough, who died on Saturday at the age of 77.

McDonoughpassed awayin Halifax after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer's disease, her family said.

The longtime politician's career included serving as Nova Scotia's New Democratic Partyleader and as the leader of the federal party.

McDonough becamethe first woman to lead a major political party in Canada when she became the leader of the Nova ScotiaNDPin 1980, a post she held until1994, when she stepped down. She was elected leader of the federal NDPin 1995 and held that post until 2003, but she continued to serve as an MP for two more terms, until 2008.

Federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh tweeted Saturday that McDonoughwill be dearly missed.

"She dedicated her life to social justice, championed women in politicsand never backed down from a challenge," he said.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called McDonough's death "an extraordinary loss for our country," saying in a tweetthat"the impact she had, history she made, and barriers she broke for women cannot be overstated."

Former Conservative MP Lisa Raitt, who grew up in Sydney, N.S., tweeted her condolences as well.

"I wouldn't have grown up in N.S.with the belief that women belonged in politics but for Alexa McDonough. She was a role model for many, including me," Raitt said.

Sought out 'voices of leadership'

Megan Leslie, a former NDPMPfor Halifax,said McDonoughwas a role model that exemplifiedhow a politician should act.

"The way she would walk into a room and meet people and shake their hands andlisten to them and really hear their story.... I tried very hard to model myself on that," said Leslie, now president and CEO of World Wildlife Fund Canada.

She said McDonoughstrove for equity, and though she didn't officially endorse any candidates, sheoffered support and guidance to many.

"When she saw a leader in the community especially women, especially people of colour, especially people who are Indigenous she would reach out and say, 'Hey, have you ever thought about running for politics?'" Leslie said. "She was just always looking for ... those voices of leadership that came from groups historically shut out from the corridors of power."

'A public servant in the truest sense'

Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston saidthe hallmark of McDonough's political career was the respect she had for the people she represented.

"She was a public servant in the truest sense and she will be sorely missed by people across Canada," Houston said in a statement on Saturday.

"Alexa McDonough was a trailblazer whose name will be mentioned in the same breath as Agnes Macphail and Gladys Porter," Houston said. Macphailwas the first woman elected to the House of Commons in Canada, and Porter was the first female member of the Nova Scotia Legislature.

In a statement, Nova Scotia NDP Leader Gary Burrill said people still talk to him about McDonough when he canvasses in Halifax Chebucto, her former riding.

"In her glory on the doorstep, Alexa loved people, and the people loved her back," he said.

Skilled at finding middle ground

Former CBC journalist Peter Mansbridge, who interviewed McDonough countless times over the years, said she was skilled at finding middle ground with her colleagues and opponents.

Mansbridgenoted that McDonough'sroots were in the Liberal Party. She helped craft the Nova Scotia Liberals'social policy platform in the 1970 provincial election,but she left the party in 1974 after becoming disenchanted and joined the NDP.

"She was always seen with some suspicion by the left of the party," Mansbridge said."However, she managed to bridge those differences for most of her tenure.

How a rookie MLA was inspired by McDonough

Halifax Citadel-Sable Island MLA Lisa Lachance said they were inspired by something written about McDonough in a book.

When McDonough first served as provincial NDP leader, there wasn't a separate washroom for female MLAs at Province House. Initially, McDonough had to use a public washroom one floor below the chamber, while her male colleagues had access to a washroom just steps from their seats.

When Lachance was elected as an MLA this past summer, they noticed there were men's and women's washrooms.

"Recalling that story, I felt comfortable enough to ask, 'What about gender-neutral bathrooms for someone who identifies as genderqueer?'" LaChance said.

"And that happened very quickly. When someone starts the really hard stuff, it makes it easier for the rest of us."

WATCH | Remembering Alexa McDonough:

WATCH: Remembering Alexa McDonough, the first Canadian woman to lead a major political party

3 years ago

Duration 3:57

Through archival material compiled from the last 40 years, McDonough describes her beliefs, her motivations and her visions for Canada.

'She was going to speak truth to power'

Former NDP premier Darrell Dexter said McDonough never shied away from having a controversial opinion. He said politicians can be cautious and may dance around voicing them over fear of blowback and he included himself in that category.

"Alexa never did that," he said. "It didn't matter to her much how controversial or unpopular something might be to be said, but she was going to speak truth to power.

"The political consequences of that meant less if it was what she believed in her heart."

Dexter said McDonough's legacy will be that "she was a tireless warrior on so many fronts: social and economic inequality, women's rights, just the battle against poverty in our province."

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