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Former federal cabinet minister John Munro has died at the age of 72.

The long-time Liberal politician suffered a heart attack at his Hamilton home Tuesday, Heritage Minister Sheila Copps confirmed.

During 22 years as an MP representing Hamilton East, Mr. Munro held numerous cabinet posts including health, labour, and Indian affairs.

Mr. Munro, who made an unsuccessful bid to become mayor of Hamilton in 2000, earned a reputation in federal politics as a tireless worker, a strong team player and a fighter for the rights of the underdog.

But he suffered under the taint of scandal in 1989 when he was charged with more than 30 counts of fraud, corruption and other offences dating from his days in cabinet under Pierre Trudeau.

Among the charges, which were dropped in 1991, was an accusation that he signed over a grant of $1.5-million to aboriginal groups, who then donated part of the money to his failed 1984 Liberal leadership campaign.

Although he was exonerated, the battle left Mr. Munro with hefty legal bills and a giant stain on his personal and professional reputation. He finally won $1.4-million in compensation from the federal government in 1999, but most of the money went to pay taxes, lawyers' fees and other expenses.

In 1993, Mr. Munro and another Liberal filed an unsuccessful court challenge seeking to strip Prime Minister Jean Chrétien of his power as Liberal leader to appoint party candidates to run in general elections.

Mr. Munro made the challenge after dropping out of the race for the Liberal nomination in the southern Ontario riding of Lincoln, saying the race was rigged by party brass in favour of his opponent.

Mr. Munro, a lawyer, came from a Hamilton family with a long history of community and political involvement.

In April 1998, Hamilton's airport was re-named the John C. Munro International Airport.

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