She was the first woman to serve as president of the Liberal Party of Canada, and the first woman to hold the role of lieutenant-governor in British Columbia.

Iona Campagnolo has died at the age of 91.

In a statement, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Campagnolo championed many causes while serving as lieutenant-governor, including climate action, gender equality and reconciliation.

Trudeau also noted that she served as minister of state for fitness and amateur sport under his father, prime minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau.

The PM issued his condolences to her family and to B.C. residents, saying Canada had lost a role model for women in politics.

Campagnolo was appointed as B.C.’s 27th lieutenant-governor in 2001, and remained in the position until 2007.