Former N.S. MP, accomplished lawyer, Stewart McInnes, dies at 78

Lawyer and former politician Stewart McInnes has died. He was 78. (Parliament of Canada)

HALIFAX -- Stewart McInnes, a highly regarded lawyer, arbitrator and federal politician who served in the cabinet of former prime minister Brian Mulroney, has died.

He was 78.

His former law firm of nearly four decades, McInnes Cooper, confirmed his death in a tweet Sunday saying it was deeply saddened by the loss.

Born July 24, 1937 in Halifax, McInnes was educated at Dalhousie University and served as a senior partner with McInnes Cooper, practising general litigation and appearing before a number of administrative tribunals.

In 1984, McInnes was elected to the House of Commons as the Progressive Conservative member for Halifax, ousting Liberal cabinet minister and former Nova Scotia premier Gerald Regan.

McInnes held several portfolios including minister of public works before being defeated in the 1988 general election by Liberal Mary Clancy and returning to his full-time law practice.

In 2007, he was named a chief negotiator for the federal government on aboriginal claims.

Nova Scotia Progressive Conservative Leader Jamie Baillie said McInnes was among the first to encourage him to enter politics when they first met 25 years ago.

"Stewart was a skilled lawyer, compassionate politician and generous friend," Baillie said in a statement. "He will be sorely missed."