Canada’s 17th Prime Minister, John Napier Turner, announced his decision to step down as Liberal leader on this date in 1989. Elected party leader in 1984, he had led the Grits through two general elections. While he was defeated both times by Brian Mulroney, Turner had opened up his party to a new generation of Canadians and had laid the groundwork for a return to power in 1993. “I do feel regret that I was not able to accomplish the ultimate goal of a politician: To win an election and become prime minister,” Turner said frankly when speaking to the press after announcing his decision.
