1) State Funeral, Public Condolences Being Planned For Brian Mulroney

Courtesy of Barrie360.com, Canadian Press Published: Mar 1st, 2024

The flag on Parliament’s Peace Tower fluttered at half-mast Friday morning as Canadians paid tribute to former prime minister Brian Mulroney.

“Canada is in mourning,” said Liberal House leader Steve MacKinnon inside a sombre House of Commons, where a book of condolences has been set up for members of Parliament to sign.

Mulroney died Thursday in a Florida hospital following a recent fall at his Palm Beach home. He was 84. He had been treated for prostate cancer almost a year ago and underwent a heart procedure in August.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau confirmed a state funeral will be held to honour the Progressive Conservative titan, who held the prime minister’s post for nearly nine years.

Trudeau said details on the timing are being worked out with Mulroney’s family, and there will also be opportunities for the public to offer their condolences. 

The House of Commons was scheduled to sit Friday before a two-week break, but MPs agreed to suspend the sitting until March 18, when they will officially pay tribute to Mulroney.

The outpouring of condolences so far make it clear he has left a lasting mark on this country and its people.

“It’s just hard to imagine politics in Canada without Brian Mulroney,” said David McLaughlin, Mulroney’s former chief of staff.

“I’m sad for him, sad for his family, and I’m kind of sad for the country because I don’t think we’ll see the likes of a Brian Mulroney again. He was truly a giant in Canadian politics.”

McLaughlin said he was a prime minister who constantly tried to do big things.

Mulroney, a charismatic and compelling leader with convictions as deep as his trademark languid baritone, led the country as the leader of the Progressive Conservatives from 1984 until 1993.

He reinvented cross-border relations thanks to a close friendship with then-U.S. president Ronald Reagan, a relationship that helped usher in the era of continental free trade and bilateral environmental treaties. He led the way on a global treaty to rid the world of substances depleting the ozone layer, and with president George H.W. Bush signed a cross-border pact to cut down on the air pollution that causes acid rain.

For many, Mulroney will always be the prime minister who introduced the Goods and Services Tax — a bold and necessary move, he insisted, but one that came with lasting political damage.

He also twice tried to garner agreement from the provinces to amend the Constitution in a bid to bring Quebec on side.

McLaughlin said although both of those constitutional amendments failed, they show how high Mulroney was willing to reach.

Mulroney’s prime ministerial tenure took the public on a giant mood swing. So popular in 1984 that his first government still holds the distinction of being the largest majority Canada has ever seen, his popularity plummeted so far that his successor, Kim Campbell, could only win two seats in the 1993 election. 

But in his post-prime ministerial life he took on the role of an elder statesman, sought out by premiers, cabinet ministers and prime ministers for his political wisdom and acumen.

Erin O’Toole, a former Conservative MP and party leader, said he counted Mulroney as a close friend and mentor who “would always be there, in thick and thin.” 

“It’s a sign of character that you don’t see much in politics,” O’Toole said in an interview. 

“There’ll be a lot of people there when the skies are sunny, but on a cloudy day, he would call when a lot of others wouldn’t.”

Bob Rae, whose single term as NDP premier in Ontario coincided with the end of Mulroney’s time as prime minister, concurred.

“When my brother died, Brian Mulroney was the first political leader to call, as he was when I was elected premier in 1990, when I was defeated, and at so many other moments,” Rae said.

Despite being a fierce partisan fighter, Mulroney always had Canada’s best interest at heart, said O’Toole — an example he said he tried to follow as Conservative leader. 

“I tried to take that approach in the pandemic,” O’Toole said, recalling some of his cross-partisan efforts at the time. 

“Trying to be a bridge-builder and looking at the whole nation, not just a small group of it or your partisan supporters,” he said. 

“He always said, put the long-term well-being of the country at the forefront of everything you do.” 

2) How Canada Is Reacting To The Death Of Former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney

Courtesy Barrie360 and Canadian PressPublished

By Stephanie Taylor

Brian Mulroney is dead at 84. His family announced late Thursday that Canada’s 18th prime minister died peacefully, surrounded by loved ones. Here’s a sampling of how Canadians are responding to the news. 

“There are many, many people across the country tonight who are reeling and feeling a deep absence. He was committed to this country, loved it with all his heart and served it many, many years in many different ways. He had the courage to do big things.” — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. 

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“His commitment to this country as a proud Quebecer to bringing people together, and demonstrating the impact but also the necessity of Canada on the world stage — and the pride Canadians could take in it — was something that left its mark. He shaped our past, but he shaped our present and he will impact our future as well. He was an extraordinary statesman and he will be deeply, deeply missed.” — Trudeau.

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“He unleashed free enterprise, crushed inflation, restored fiscal sanity and concluded one of the greatest free trade agreements the world has ever seen, which remains largely in place today. These changes gave thousands of working-class families the same opportunities he had, that is, the chance to work hard, buy a home and build their dreams.” — Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. 

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“He was among the first and most strident to fight against South Africa’s apartheid policy and champion the cause of Nelson Mandela. He later went on to thank Mr. Mulroney for his essential role in ending this racist policy.” — Poilievre. 

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“I was an opponent of him all my political career, but in politics, opposition is opposition. It’s like playing hockey. You can fight on the ice and have a beer together after that. And we had a lot of things in common.” — Former prime minister Jean Chrétien.

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“The man had a way with words like no one else. It didn’t matter if it was a private conversation or a speech to thousands, Brian had an ability to capture a crowd and keep them captivated with his endless supply of stories. Anyone who heard him speak walked away in awe.” — Ontario Premier Doug Ford. 

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“I first met Prime Minister Mulroney when I was the Progressive Conservative U of C campus club president in 1992. I was just joining politics and felt inspired by his dedication to public service. He will be remembered by all Canadians for his service, and his commitment to our country.” — Alberta Premier Danielle Smith.

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“He made an important contribution to Canada, including protecting our environment — leading the world in tackling acid rain and banning chemicals that were destroying the ozone layer. He was also a strong opponent of apartheid, leading the efforts to sanction South Africa by Commonwealth nations.” — Federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh. 

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“Prime Minister Mulroney is perhaps the last to have sincerely attempted to reconcile Quebec and Canada. He was the architect of a free trade agreement that would not have existed without the support of Quebec. His role in the respect of human rights and the liberation of Nelson Mandela is historic. He even enjoyed the trust of René Lévesque. Respect for a great native of Quebec’s North Shore and a great Quebecer.” — Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet.

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“Brian Mulroney stood up for Canada and our national interest, including long after he left public office. I will miss his wise counsel, which he generously offered, particularly during the NAFTA negotiations. He was an advocate for democracy, human rights and the first Western leader to recognize an independent Ukraine.” — Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.

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“At a dark point in my life, he called. I’ll never forget it. His compassion is something I could never repay. There are thousands of people who can say the same today, thousands who are remembering his quiet kindness, his loyalty, his steel.” — Labour Minister Seamus O’Regan. 

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“Mr. Mulroney was one of the greatest prime ministers in Canadian history. He was an exceptional leader. A visionary. And a statesman whose influence had a significant impact on the international stage. I remember him as generous, passionate, and deeply attached to Canada. Our country owes Prime Minister Mulroney a profound debt of gratitude.” — Former Quebec premier and Mulroney-era cabinet minister Jean Charest.

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“Under Brian Mulroney’s leadership, Canada became more confident, more prosperous, and more respected in the world. I will always be grateful to have known him and to have had the privilege of serving with him.” — President and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commece and Mulroney-era cabinet minister Perrin Beatty.

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“He was an outstanding negotiator, able to build trust and consensus in his legal practice. And he was a role model and mentor to countless lawyers, from associates to senior partners. We will remember not only the great man, but more simply the person that he was — who counselled us, supported us, and gave generously of himself to us. We will miss his warmth, his gravitas and the twinkle in his eye.” — Jennifer Teskey, managing partner at Norton Rose Fulbright and Walied Soliman, the firm’s Canada Chair.

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“I first met Mr. Mulroney when I was 16, protesting (!) a speech he was giving. He responded with charm and the exchange made the national news. I was able to meet him and his family a few times since and he always showed grace and a deep commitment to public service. Rest well.” — Former Calgary mayor Naheed Nenshi. 

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“I was a young lawyer when I used to go up to PM Mulroney’s office one floor up from mine at Ogilvy Renault. We would sit and talk politics and campaigning. Neither of us spoke a partisan word. He didn’t care I was part of the Liberal party and I was in awe of a Conservative prime minister. One that made Canada a leader in the global fight against acid rain.” — Montreal Liberal MP Rachel Bendayan.

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“In December 2023 I was going through a pretty stressful time and Brian Mulroney took the time to call me and encourage me. That was the kind of man he was. He cared about people. A true gentleman.” — Montreal Liberal MP Anthony Housefather.  

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“In 2009, I attended the 25th anniversary celebration of Brian Mulroney’s 1984 victory. The key insight I recall him sharing that night was that ‘Political capital should be spent in pursuit of great causes.’ From human rights to economic reform, this was Mulroney’s legacy.” — Conservative MP Garnett Genuis.