High-profile Liberal party organizer Mike Robinson dies at age 65

A high-profile organizer and supporter of former prime minister Paul Martin has died.

The Liberal Party of Canada confirmed Friday that Mike Robinson died in Normandy, France. He was 65.

It was not clear whether he died Thursday or early Friday morning.

Robinson, who was born outside Calgary and grew up in both England and Exshaw, Alberta, spent the last 30 years as one of Canada’s top public affairs consultants.

“Remembering Mike Robinson and his lifetime of public service,” the Liberal party tweeted. “An extraordinary leader in Canadian public policy, government, and campaigns.”

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Robinson served as an executive assistant to a federal cabinet minister in the 1970s and held several senior volunteer positions in the Liberal party, the Earnscliffe Strategy Group website said.

He was also one of the early supporters of Martin during his first leadership run in the 1990s. He served as the chief financial officer for the Liberals from 1986 to 1990.

“My colleagues and I are all devastated. He was well loved within the consulting community, politics and throughout Canada,” said Charles Bird, principal at Earnscliffe, a consulting agency co-founded by Robinson and Harry Near.

“He was a leader and mentor for so many of us.”

Canadian politicians took to Twitter on Friday to lament Robinson’s death.

“Deeply shocked and so sad about passing of my friend, golfing buddy and mentor Mike Robinson, gentle soul and wise man. Can’t believe it,” former Liberal leader Bob Rae tweeted.

Longtime Conservative insider Goldy Hyder also tweeted: “Saddened to learn of #Earnscliffe’s Mike Robinson sudden passing. He was a giant in our business.”

Robinson is survived by his wife, ML Walsh, and four children.

Daniela Germano, The Canadian Press

Note to readers: This is a corrected story. A previous version wrongly said Robinson was born in England