John Napier Turner

Turner, John Napier (1929– ), prime minister of Canada following the resignation of Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau. In 1984, after having served 2 1/2 months, Turner called a general election and lost to Progressive Conservative candidate Brian Mulroney. Turner had previously held a variety of posts in the cabinets of prime ministers Lester Pearson and Pierre Trudeau. A Liberal Party member, he was interested in developing social programs to help the nation's poor and unemployed.

See also: Canada.