Open in full screen mode Members of the House of Commons communities observed a minute of silence in tribute to former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney on Monday. The Canadian Press MPs spoke in the House of Commons on Monday for a solemn reflection in tribute to the late Brian Mulroney, the former Prime Minister of Canada who died last month. As his wife Mila and their children Nicholas, Mark, Ben and Caroline looked on from the gallery above, leaders and MPs from all parties expressed their fond memories and admiration for the political giant. Mr. Mulroney, who led the country as Progressive Conservative prime minister from 1984 to 1993, died in Florida at the age of 84. Since then, tributes have been pouring in from politicians of yesterday and today. When parliamentarians returned to the Commons on Monday after a two-week break, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was the first to speak about Brian Mulroney's legacy in what is expected to be a week-long commemoration in honor of the former prime minister, culminating with a state funeral on Saturday.
Justin Trudeau paid tribute to former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney on Monday , in the House of Commons.
Brian Mulroney, 1939-2024
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This won't be the last week Canadians cite him, remember his example, be inspired by his service, Justin Trudeau said.
Mr. Trudeau said Mulroney was one of the lions of Canadian politics and recalled spending time with him last year in Nova Scotia during a visit to Mulroney Hall.
On that occasion, they had reflected on the wisdom he and my father shared, that leadership, fundamentally, is about getting the important things done, regardless your political allegiance or your style, Mr. Trudeau recalled.
From the podium, members of the Mulroney family also smiled when Justin Trudeau explained that Brian Mulroney was primarily motivated by a sense of service.
En As Prime Minister, Mr. Mulroney championed free trade and inaugurated the Canada-United States Free Trade Agreement in 1988, a precursor to the North American Free Trade Agreement. American law which came into force in 1994. Many Canadians also remember him for introducing the GST.
Brian Mulroney's family – his wife Mila and his children Nicholas, Mark, Ben and Caroline – gathered in the House of Commons on Monday.
But it's his down-to-earth spirit that, according to Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, exemplifies Brian Mulroney's approach to politics. ;respect for work.
He told the story of meeting a mechanic in Ottawa whose father was a miner at the Iron Mining Company Ore of Canada, when Brian Mulroney was president.
Decades later, when the mechanic's father died, Mr. Mulroney called the family, Pierre Poilievre said.
Despite everything on his mind, he still remembered the Iron Ore Company miner, he added. That's kindness. This is humility.
Pierre Poilievre paid tribute to former Progressive Conservative Prime Minister Brian Mulroney on Monday in the House of Commons.
Brian Mulroney will be remembered as a great Canadian, a great Quebecer and a great Prime Minister, said Louis Plamondon, elected MP in Mr. Mulroney's party the year he became prime minister.
But the Bloc Québécois MP will first remember Brian Mulroney as a family man, said Mr. Plamondon, offering his condolences to Mulroney's wife and children.
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said he hoped Mr. Mulroney's family would find some comfort in the many memories shared at his subject.
Brian Mulroney spoke out against the injustices of apartheid, Mr. Singh said, and helped preserve the social fabric of Canada .
Mr. Singh also praised the former prime minister's environmental record and his efforts to reduce pollution, which ends up in Canada's rivers, lakes and forests.
At a time of deepening divisions, when some political leaders are trying to score points by pitting groups of people against each other, Mr. Mulroney will be remembered as someone who tried to build unity, recalled Mr. Singh.
Mr. Mulroney's sons spoke to reporters after the presentation and expressed their gratitude.
Hearing everyone speak so positively was probably not what he was used to, but he would have loved it, and so do we, said Mark Mulroney with a laugh.
He and his brothers expressed special thanks to Elizabeth May, the leader of the Green Party.
Brian Mulroney literally saved all life on Earth when Canada stood up, organized the Montreal Protocol and saved the ozone layer, May said.
She added that she was grateful and honored to be Brian Mulroney's friend because of his environmental legacy and his gift for making her laugh, she said. -she said, making her family laugh.
Brian Mulroney's coffin is expected to arrive in Ottawa on Tuesday, where it will lie in state for two days so that the public can pay tribute to him.
The former prime minister will also be laid to rest at Saint-Patrick's Basilica in Montreal on Thursday and Friday.
Dignitaries, including the Governor General and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, are expected to offer their condolences to the Mulroney family on Tuesday morning.
A state funeral will take place Saturday morning at Notre-Dame Basilica, with eulogies from Caroline Mulroney, Jean Charest and Wayne Gretzky.