Otto Jelinek, a Prague-born refugee who won the 1962 world pairs figure skating title with his sister Maria and later spent about 21 years in federal politics including as national revenue minister, has died at 86 after a long battle with Parkinson's disease, his family said.
"He was quite the ambitious guy," his younger brother Henry said Sunday, reflecting on a life that spanned world-class sports and federal politics.
Otto Jelinek died at 86, the Jelinek family said, peacefully in hospital after a nearly two-decade battle with Parkinson's disease. Born in Prague in 1940, he and his family fled Czechoslovakia's communist government and arrived in Canada in 1952, where his father rebuilt a cork factory in Oakville, Ontario.
Otto Jelinek died at 86, the Jelinek family said, peacefully in hospital after a nearly two-decade battle with Parkinson's disease. Born in Prague in 1940, he and his family fled Czechoslovakia's communist government and arrived in Canada in 1952, where his father rebuilt a cork factory in Oakville, Ontario. Jelinek and his sister Maria represented Canada at the 1960 Winter Olympics and won the 1962 world pairs figure skating championship in Prague, then toured with Ice Capades and went into business making skates. He entered federal politics in 1972, served about 21 years in the House of Commons, and held multiple portfolios in Brian Mulroney's cabinet, including national revenue minister, where he implemented and defended the goods and services tax in 1989. He was outspoken during his career, once saying he wanted to "get rid of hyphenated Canadians," and he was shuffled out of cabinet in 1993 and did not seek re-election. The family issued a public statement announcing his death and noting his illness; it did not list public funeral or memorial arrangements.
What Happened
Otto Jelinek's death at 86 closes a public life that moved from world champion figure skating to senior roles in Ottawa, where he defended the goods and services tax as national revenue minister. He died peacefully in hospital after a nearly two-decade battle with Parkinson's disease, the Jelinek family said.
He was born in Prague in 1940, and his family fled Czechoslovakia's communist government and arrived in Canada in 1952, where his father rebuilt a cork factory in Oakville, Ontario. Jelinek and his sister Maria represented Canada at the 1960 Winter Olympics and won the 1962 world pairs figure skating championship in Prague, then toured with the Ice Capades.
Jelinek entered federal politics in 1972, served about 21 years in the House of Commons, and held multiple portfolios in Prime Minister Brian Mulroney's government, including national revenue minister; in 1989 he implemented and publicly defended the goods and services tax. He was known for outspoken statements during his political career, including saying he wanted to "get rid of hyphenated Canadians," and he was shuffled out of cabinet in 1993 and did not seek re-election.
His younger brother Henry, speaking after the announcement of his death, said, "He was quite the ambitious guy," and added, "He was also sincerely and strongly a Canadian guy, who did everything he could to help this country." The family issued a public statement announcing his death and noting his illness; the statement as reported did not list public funeral or memorial arrangements.
The Context
Otto Jelinek’s life stitched together three distinct identities: refugee, world-class athlete, and federal politician. Each phase left a clear trace in Canadian public life and helps explain why his death drew attention across sports circles and Ottawa.
Born in Prague in 1940, Jelinek fled Czechoslovakia’s communist government with his family and arrived in Canada in 1952. His father rebuilt the family’s cork factory in Oakville, Ontario, anchoring the family in a suburban community that would become the base for Jelinek’s later public and commercial ventures.
On ice, Jelinek rose quickly. He and his sister Maria represented Canada at the 1960 Winter Olympics in California. Two years later they won the 1962 world pairs figure skating title in Prague, a victory his brother described as disproof of the communist regime’s claim of superiority. After turning professional, the siblings toured with the Ice Capades; Jelinek later worked as a CTV sports commentator and launched a company manufacturing hockey and figure skates.
Politics came next. Jelinek entered federal politics in 1972 and served about 21 years in the House of Commons. Under Prime Minister Brian Mulroney he held multiple portfolios, including national revenue minister. In 1989, as national revenue minister, he implemented and publicly defended the goods and services tax, one of the most contentious fiscal changes of the era.
His political style was forthright. He made outspoken remarks during his career, once saying he wanted to "get rid of hyphenated Canadians," a line that contributed to his reputation as blunt and polarizing. He was shuffled out of cabinet in 1993 and did not seek re-election that year.
After leaving elected office, his public service continued with a diplomatic posting as Canadian Ambassador to the Czech Republic.
The family issued the statement announcing his death and noting a nearly two-decade battle with Parkinson’s disease; the statement, as reported, did not list public funeral or memorial arrangements. "He was quite the ambitious guy," his younger brother Henry said, "He was also sincerely and strongly a Canadian guy, who did everything he could to help this country."
Reaction
The family issued a public statement announcing his death and noting his illness, and it did not list public funeral or memorial arrangements.
What's Next
That decision matters because Jelinek was a public figure for decades. He entered federal politics in 1972, served about 21 years in the House of Commons and held multiple portfolios in Brian Mulroney’s government, including national revenue minister; his career in sport and diplomacy also kept him in the public eye.
Originally reported by Castanet.
This article was created with AI assistance.
