I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of my good friend, Morris Bodnar, on Friday. Morris was someone I saw regularly—someone with whom conversation always mattered, and whose presence always brought with it perspective, warmth, and good humour. His passing leaves a real absence.
Morris lived a life anchored in public service, fairness, and a deep respect for the rule of law. Those values were not abstract ideals for him; they were principles he lived by every day, both in his professional work and in his relationships with others.
We first came to know each other through the law, but our friendship extended well beyond it. Morris practised criminal law in Saskatoon for five decades, believing deeply that a just society depends on meaningful access to legal defence. He brought integrity, decency, and humanity to a demanding area of practice, and he earned the respect of colleagues across the profession—not through self-promotion, but through the way he conducted himself.
Morris also answered the call to public service in elected office, serving as the Member of Parliament for Saskatoon–Dundurn from 1993 to 1997. I had the privilege of serving as his campaign manager when he ran for Parliament. It was a formative experience for me, and a revealing one. Morris approached politics not as a career move, but as a responsibility. He took the role seriously, listened carefully, and never lost sight of the people he was meant to serve.
In recent years, Morris continued to be generous with his support and encouragement. He gave a reference for my King’s Counsel appointment—an act I value deeply, not only because of the honour itself, but because of the person it came from. Morris’s judgment mattered. His support was never casual.
What I will remember most, however, are the conversations. Morris loved ideas and thoughtful debate. He was well read, curious, and engaged, and he enjoyed spirited discussion without ego or rancour. Disagreement with Morris was never personal; it was an invitation to think more carefully. Those are conversations I will miss.
Beyond his professional life, Morris was a builder in the truest sense—of homes, of community, of relationships. He took pride in craftsmanship, whether in constructing his family home, working on his cabin at Lake Diefenbaker, or creating things for his grandchildren. He valued art, music, sport, and learning, and he carried those interests lightly and joyfully.
At the centre of everything was his family. Morris’s love for Joyce, their children, and their grandchildren was evident in the way he spoke about them and the way he ordered his life. He was proud of his Ukrainian heritage, deeply connected to his extended family, and committed to keeping those bonds strong across generations.
Morris Bodnar will be remembered as a principled lawyer, a dedicated public servant, and a man of quiet conviction. For those of us who knew him personally, he will also be remembered as a loyal friend and a generous spirit.
I am grateful for his friendship, his example, and the many conversations we shared. He will be missed.