Brian Mulroney remembered as a ‘lion’ of Canadian politics in MP tributes

Members of Parliament paid tribute to former prime minister Brian Mulroney Monday, remembering him as “one of the lions of Canadian politics.”

He died last month in Florida at 84 years old.

MPs stood for a moment of silence in the House of Commons Monday afternoon, as Mulroney’s widow and four children watched from the gallery.

“It’s just been incredibly humbling to hear the outpouring of support from friends and former foes,” said Mulroney’s youngest son Nicolas.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau began the tributes, remembering his Conservative predecessor as a “gracious, generous and insightful” leader and mentor who “put country above politics.”

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“It is not just his booming baritone that will forever echo in this chamber, but his values and his leadership,” he said. “His principles helped shape this nation and the world for the better.”

Those principles include campaigning against apartheid in South Africa and championing the North American Free Trade Agreement or NAFTA.

“Brian Mulroney established the largest free trade area in the world and raised the standard of living for hundreds of millions of people benefiting Canadians in every corner of this country for decades,” said Trudeau.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre also honoured Mulroney, celebrating his “down to earth spirit” he said stemmed from growing up in small-town Quebec in Baie-Comeau, off the shores of the St. Lawrence River.

NDP leader Jagmeet Singh described Mulroney “as someone who took big chances while he was in office” in part by advocating for progressive policies.

“I would be remiss not to point out that Mr. Mulroney was a Progressive Conservative. He respected our democracy and the role of the media in a way that wasn’t remarkable the time, but is no doubt noteworthy today,” said Singh.

Green Party Leader Elizabeth May highlighted Mulroney’s environmentalism, specifically hammering out the Montreal Protocol; a global agreement signed in 1987 to combat acid rain.

“Brian Mulroney quite literally saved all life on Earth when Canada stood up and organized the Montreal Protocol and saved the ozone layer,” said a tearful May.

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The Mulroney siblings thanked parliamentarians for their “touching” recollections that crossed party lines.

“For us sitting up in the gallery and hearing everybody speak so positively, probably not what he was used to, but he would have loved it. And we did as well,” said Mark Mulroney, the late politician’s third-born child.

Mulroney’s casket is expected to arrive in Ottawa Tuesday, where he will lie in state for two days.

Dignitaries including Trudeau and Governor General Mary Simon are set to offer their condolences to the Mulroney family.

Mulroney’s casket will make its way to Montreal on Wednesday afternoon, where he will lie in repose at St. Patrick’s Basilica, allowing members of the public to pay their respects.

A state funeral is scheduled for Saturday morning at Notre Dame Basilica, with eulogies from his daughter Ontario MPP Caroline Mulroney, former Quebec premier Jean Charest and hockey legend Wayne Gretzky.

-with files from Canadian Press