John N.W. Turner (born June 7, 1929) is a former Canadian Communist official who served as General Secretary of the Worker's Party of Canada and as Premier of Canada from January 1984 until free elections were held in 1989, after which he peacefully transferred power to the center-right government which succeeded him. As Premier, Turner dismantled much of the Canadian communist state, openly endorsing the policies of "New Openness" and other pieces of the reform packages introduced by British Union leader Margaret Thatcher. Turner also resigned in June of 1989 as General Secretary, giving way to the Provisional Head of State to Paul David Manson, who would serve in that capacity until Joe Clark was elected President in November of 1991.