Condolences are pouring in for former Progressive Conservative finance minister Michael Wilson, who has died at the age of 81 from cancer.

Wilson was sent to Ottawa as the MP for Etobicoke Centre in 1979. He ran for the leadership of the PC Party in 1983, and lost to Brian Mulroney.

Mulroney became prime minister the following year and appointed Wilson finance minister. In that role, Wilson ushered in the Goods and Services Tax.

He was shuffled to the industry and international trade file in 1991, and helped to negotiate free trade with the United States and Mexico.

Wilson retired from politics in 1993. His son Cameron died by suicide in 1995, and Wilson went on to become an early advocate for mental health awareness.

He also served as Canada鈥檚 ambassador to the United States, chancellor of the University of Toronto and worked in senior roles at a number of banks.

that Wilson鈥檚 dedicated service to Canada 鈥渨ill leave a lasting impact on our country.鈥�

鈥淲e鈥檝e lost a truly great Canadian,鈥� the prime minister said. 鈥淢y condolences to his family and friends,鈥� he added.

Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer said he and his wife Jill were saddened by the news.

鈥淲e鈥檙e thankful for his service to Canadians and his dedication to mental health advocacy,鈥� Scheer tweeted. 鈥淥ur prayers are with his family and loved ones this evening,鈥�

Former prime minister Stephen Harper and his wife Laureen also offered their condolences.

鈥淢ichael Wilson served Canada with exceptional skill and dedication,鈥� 鈥淔rom the Cabinet table to serving our country with dignity and wisdom as Ambassador in Washington, Mike embodied the best of public service,鈥� he added.

In a Tweet Sunday evening, Toronto Mayor John Tory called Wilson 鈥渙ne of the most intelligent, decent people I have ever met, inside or outside of politics and public life.鈥�

Finance Minister Bill Morneau said on Twitter Sunday that Wilson had a 鈥減rofound impact on countless Canadians鈥� and 鈥渓eaves behind an impressive legacy.鈥�

John McDermid, a former PC MP from Ontario who served in cabinet with Wilson said on Twitter that Wilson will be missed. 鈥淕reat Canadian,鈥� McDermid wrote.

Meric Gertler, the president of the University of Toronto, issued a statement saying he was proud of the school鈥檚 alumnus and former chancellor.

鈥淔rom spearheading public policy of the highest significance to publicly confronting the challenge of mental illness, Michael Wilson was a true champion,鈥� Gertler wrote.