Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says former Liberal Northumberland-Peterborough South MP Kim Rudd’s legacy of kindness, warmth and remarkable strength will live on.
The news of Rudd’s passing reverberated throughout Northumberland County on Wednesday, March 13, 2024. Rudd – who was the first MP in 2015 for the then newly created Northumberland-Peterborough South riding during the red wave – passed away surrounded by loved ones at Ed’s House after a lengthy battle with ovarian cancer.
But she was so much more than just a politician, with deep ties to Northumberland throughout her lifetime. Her roles were many here, and the impacts of her work are still felt today – a sentiment Trudeau has echoed.
Trudeau – who over the years has visited this area, including during Rudd’s campaigns – issued a statement following her passing, remembering Rudd for her generosity and impacts on thousands of Canadians.
“It is with great sadness that I learned today of the passing of Kim Rudd, former Member of Parliament for Northumberland-Peterborough South,” said Trudeau, in the statement.
“Kim was a thoughtful and tireless advocate for Canadians. During her time in parliament from 2015 to 2019, she was dedicated to serving her community and rural Canadians.
“She advanced progress on important issues – from affordable housing to rural broadband, to healthcare.”
As parliamentary secretary to the minister of natural resources, she stood up for Canadian energy workers and helped move forward on climate action, continued Trudeau.
“Her contributions to Canada extended well beyond her political life,” added Trudeau, while touching on how Rudd before entering politics served through various roles; including her many roles locally as president of the chamber of commerce, her work as owner of Willis College in Cobourg, her entrepreneurship, Cook’s Day School work, and more.
“When we spoke last week, I was inspired by the optimism she felt toward our country,” said Trudeau. “Kim truly believed in Canada and in Canadians – and her generosity left a positive impact on thousands.”
“Kim is lovingly remembered and will be deeply missed by her beloved husband Tom Rudd; her daughter Alison Rudd and her wife Kathy Johnson; her daughter Stefanie Rudd and her husband Ziyad Sidawi; and her grandchildren Morgan Johnson, Avery Koehn, Hobie Johnson-Rudd and his wife Ridhi Sharma, and Amira Sidawi. On behalf of the Government of Canada, I offer my deepest condolences to her family and friends.
“She leaves behind a legacy of kindness, warmth, and remarkable strength.”
Locally, condolences have been flooding in since the news of Rudd’s passing. Rudd is being remembered as a warrior who fought to the end – and a force of nature who touched many lives through her various community and advocacy roles, her involvement in charitable organizations, volunteerism, and more over the years.
(Written by: Sarah Hyatt)
