In Memory of The Honourable
Dr. John McCallum
1950 - 2025
We mourn the passing of The Honourable Dr. John McCallum. His warm smile, wise words and heart will always remain in our hearts. May his soul rest in peace and may we always have him in our memories.
-OTLF
Message from The Honorable Dr. Reza Moridi
In Loving Memory of Honourable John McCallum
1949 – 2025
I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of my dear friend, the Honourable Dr. John McCallum. John was a devoted public servant and a distinguished Canadian. Over the course of his remarkable career, he served as a dedicated parliamentarian, respected academic, accomplished banker, and seasoned diplomat. Before entering politics, he was a professor and Dean of the Faculty of Arts at McGill University and later served as Chief Economist at the Royal Bank of Canada. In public office, he held several key portfolios, including Minister of National Defence, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, Minister of National Revenue, and most recently, Canada’s Ambassador to China.
I extend my heartfelt condolences to the entire McCallum family. During this difficult time, my thoughts and prayers are with them. John will be dearly missed. His legacy of service and leadership will live on in the hearts and minds of all who had the privilege of knowing him.
May he rest in eternal peace.
Reza Moridi
Chair, Board of Honorary Mentors
Outstanding Teenager Leadership Foundation
___________________________________
Hon. Reza Moridi, PhD, ECO
Former Parliamentarian and Minister
Senior Fellow, Massey College, University of Toronto
Message from The Honorable Brad Duguid
In Loving Memory of the Honourable John McCallum
1949 – 2025
It is with deep respect and admiration that we, at the OTLF, remember the Honourable John McCallum — a distinguished Canadian public servant, economist, academic, and diplomat whose legacy will resonate for generations.
John McCallum’s career was marked by an unwavering commitment to public service and nation-building. With a remarkable intellect and a generous spirit, he contributed to Canada in multiple roles: as a Member of Parliament, cabinet minister, and Canada’s Ambassador to China.
Over nearly two decades in Parliament, he held several cabinet posts, including Minister of National Defence, Minister of Veterans Affairs, and Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship. When Dr. John McCallum was asked to volunteer to help strengthen the Outstanding Teenager Leadership Foundation, he stepped up without hesitation and has been a stalwart supporter, mentor, leader and participant in nearly every OTLF event since our organization was founded. John’s passion for youth and diversity shined through every time he spoke at our Youth Entrepreneurship Forums as well as all our other programs.
John McCallum’s impact extended far beyond the titles he held. His warm demeanor, thoughtful leadership, and belief in the power of inclusion made him a respected figure at home and abroad. He brought intelligence, grace, and humility to everything he did.
John shared a deep and enduring partnership with his beloved wife Nancy Lim, who supported him throughout his career and often was at his side at OTLF events from day one. He was immensely proud of his family and often shared loving stories with many of us at OTLF events about his children and grandchildren.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to Nancy, their children, grandchildren. Perhaps it will bring them comfort to know that his legacy of mentorship, service, compassion, and integrity will live on in all of us, in particular, the many young people whose lives John McCallum touched at the OTLF.
“A life dedicated to others is a life well lived.”
Hon. Brad Duguid
Advisor, Outstanding Teenager Leadership Foundation
Former Parliamentarian and Minister
President, AMPCO
Message from Ms.Yady Ballesteros
In Loving Memory of the Honourable John McCallum
Mentor, Educator, and Beloved Member of the OTLF Community
It is with deep sadness and heartfelt gratitude that we honor the memory of the honourable John McCallum — a cherished mentor and guiding light within the Outstanding Teenager Leadership Foundation (OTLF).
A distinguished Canadian politician and public servant, Dr. McCallum brought the same depth of commitment and integrity to OTLF as he did to his decades of service to our country.
As an advisor to OTLF, I had the privilege of attending several sessions with Dr. McCallum. He brought a rare combination of kindness, wisdom, and presence into every room — always engaging, always willing to share. He made young people feel seen and believed in, and through that simple but powerful act, helped shape confident, thoughtful leaders.
Last summer, we welcomed Dr. McCallum, his wife, and their beautiful fur baby to our annual BBQ — a joyful memory I now hold even more dearly. Just yesterday, we gathered again for this year’s celebration. He would have been so proud to hear that seven of our participants have been accepted into prestigious universities and are now stepping forward to become mentors themselves. Their journey — from being inspired to inspiring others — is the very legacy he championed.
Dr. McCallum believed in the power of giving back, and he lived that belief fully. Thank you, Dr. McCallum, for your kindness, your wisdom, and for showing our youth that leadership begins with compassion and service. You reminded us that even the smallest acts can become the brightest lights in someone’s path.
You will be deeply missed, but your spirit lives on in every young leader you helped lift, and everyone you have inspired like myself.
Rest in peace.
With heartfelt gratitude,
Yady Ballesteros
Advisor of Outstanding Teenager Leadership Forum
Message from Dr. Milica Radisic
In Loving Memory of the Honourable John McCallum
1949 – 2025
I deeply cherished my interactions with the late John McCallum, former Ambassador of Canada to China. Our paths crossed through OTFL, a grassroots organization committed to fostering community among Chinese Canadians. It was a perfect forum to connect, particularly because John’s wife is Chinese, which brought a special resonance to his engagement with the group.
John readily shared his considerable wisdom and experience with the young members of OTFL. Drawing on his distinguished career as a diplomat, cabinet minister, and long-time representative of a constituency with significant Chinese-Canadian ties, he understood the nuances of cross-cultural dialogue and was generous in transferring his insights to the next generation. His participation was more than professional—it was personal, and it showed in the warmth and respect he gave to every interaction.
In addition to his diplomatic and political achievements, John McCallum had a distinguished academic career, most notably at McGill University, where he served as a professor of economics from 1987 to 1994 and as Dean of the Faculty of Arts towards the end of his tenure. His impactful research—which included the influential 1995 “National Borders Matter: Canada-U.S. Regional Trade Patterns” paper—cemented his reputation as a leading economist. His background in research and science made it especially easy for me to connect with him; we shared an understanding of academic rigor, inquiry, and evidence-based thinking that naturally bridged our conversations. Having transitioned from academia into public service himself, John brought a scientist’s perspective to every discussion, enriching our interactions within OTFL and making his mentorship especially meaningful for fellow researchers and students.
He will be deeply missed, not only for his public service but for the genuine mentorship and friendship he offered within our community.
With sincere gratitude,
Dr. Milica Radisic
Honorary Mentor
Outstanding Teenager Leadership Foundation
Message from the OTLF Parent Community
In Memory of The Honorable John McCallum
As the parents of teenagers at the Outstanding Teenager LeadershipFoundation (OTLF), we are deeply saddened by the passing of The Honorable John McCallum. His legacy as a statesman, diplomat, and scholar was not only recognized across Canada but also felt personally within OTLF community.
Dr. McCallum served as an Honorary Mentor to OTLF, offering his encouragement and wisdom to our children as they explored leadership, service, and global awareness. We are especially grateful for the time he generously devoted to helping shape their perspectives, instilling in them the values of public responsibility, intellectual curiosity, and compassion.
As parents, we watched our children be inspired by his example. His presence gave them confidence that their voices mattered and that with dedication, they could contribute meaningfully to the world.
We extend our deepest condolences to Mr. McCallum’s family. His legacy will continue to live on in the values he shared and the young lives he helped influence. We are thankful beyond words for the positive mark he left on our children.
With heartfelt appreciation,
the OTLF Parent Community
Message from OTLF Students
In Loving Memory of the Honourable Dr. John McCallum
Even though to the world he was known as a former Cabinet Minister, Canada’s Former Ambassador to China, an esteemed economist, and a long-serving Member of Parliament; to us at Outstanding Teenager Leadership Foundation(OTLF), the Honourable Dr. John McCallum was so much more. John was our mentor, and someone we deeply admired. His passing is a profound loss to Canada and to all of us who were fortunate enough to know him personally. Dr. McCallum’s career in public service was distinguished and far-reaching, serving as Minister of National Defence, Minister of Veterans Affairs, and Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship. In every role he held, Dr. McCallum led with thoughtfulness, intelligence, and unwavering dedication to the public good.
But at OTLF, we knew a different side of Dr. McCallum – one defined not by title or office , but by kindness, humility, and steadfast support for youth. He became a friend of the organization early on, drawn by our mission to empower high school students to think critically, lead with empathy, and shape a better future. Despite his busy schedule, he always made time for us. He attended events not out of obligation, but out of genuine care.
We will never forget how he came to our All for Love Annual Charity Concert, offering his encouragement not only with words, but with his presence. He joined us at the OTLF Annual Appreciation & Celebration BBQ, sharing stories from his career while listening intently to ours.
Dr. McCallum’s mentorship is quiet but powerful. He never imposed; he guided, and he never lectured; he listened. And in doing so, he validated the voices of teenagers who often struggle to be heard. For a student-led organization built for high schoolers, his support is invaluable. He reminded us that our ideas weren’t just idealistic dreams, but they were contributions worth taking seriously, and he saw our potential before we fully saw it in ourselves.
As we mourn his loss, we also celebrate the legacy he leaves behind in our hearts. Dr. John McCallum believed in young people. He believed in our ability to lead, to care, to question, and to build. The lessons he taught us about leadership, service, and humility will continue to guide OTLF in the years to come.
We will remember him not only for what he achieved in Parliament or abroad, but for the hope and belief he gave to a group of teens trying to make a difference. Thank you, Dr. McCallum, for standing by us, believing in us, and reminding us that we, too, have the power to leave something meaningful behind.
We will miss you, Honourable McCallum, dearly,
All students at Outstanding Teenager Leadership Foundation
OTLF
Outstanding Teenager Leadership Foundation
LET THE WORLD DISCOVER WHAT WE EMBRACE
Outstanding Teenager Leadership Foundation, also known as OTLF, is a non-profit organization that strives to provide youth with a platform to become involved and engaged in philanthropy, charity and volunteering. Established in 2017, OTLF has since been providing Ontarian youth the opportunity to advance their creative minds collaboratively to develop and execute fundraising events that work to assist other non-profits on their journey.
OTLF has previously collaborated with the SickKids Foundation and Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation, and in the future, hopes to expand their network by reaching out to organizations such as UNICEF, and the University of Toronto Entrepreneurship Hatchery.
