John Turner

Turner became Prime Minister of Canada on June 30, 1984, after winning the Liberal Party leadership convention. He succeeded Pierre Trudeau and immediately called a general election for September.

Turner's Liberal government was defeated in the 1984 federal election by Brian Mulroney's Progressive Conservatives. The Liberals won only 40 seats, their worst result in history, and Turner resigned as party leader shortly after.

Before the 1984 election, Turner appointed a large number of Liberal loyalists to patronage positions, including senators and judges. This decision was heavily criticized and became a major issue in the election campaign, contributing to his defeat.

After the election defeat, Turner remained as Liberal Party leader and became Leader of the Official Opposition. He led the party through the 1988 election, where he campaigned against the Canada-U.S. Free Trade Agreement.

Turner led the Liberal Party in the 1988 federal election, making opposition to the Canada-U.S. Free Trade Agreement the central issue. Despite a strong campaign, the Liberals lost to Mulroney's Conservatives, and the agreement was implemented.