Former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney will “obviously” be entitled to a state funeral, Justin Trudeau announced Friday.
• Read also: Former Prime Minister of Canada Brian Mulroney has died
• Read also: “He marked our lives”: Jean Charest recounts his last moments spent alongside Brian Mulroney
The Prime Minister indicated that Ottawa was working “with the family to ensure that all their wishes are respected.”
The funeral is expected to take place in the coming weeks, most likely in Ottawa. Event details will be communicated shortly.
Mr. Trudeau also informed that there would be “opportunities [sic] for Canadians to express their gratitude and [d’]offer their respects to the former Prime Minister” as part of the funeral.
He praised Mr. Mulroney’s ability to play politics without falling into excessive partisanship: he had “respect” for elected officials, even those from other parties, noted the Prime Minister, perhaps to establish a contrast with his current rival, the conservative Pierre Poilievre.
“It is important for our system that there are contrasts of ideas and points of view, but to maintain this respect and [de] don’t fall into personal attacks, I think it’s a reminder that benefits us all in these slightly more divisive moments [sic] politics,” said Mr. Trudeau.
On Parliament Hill, members of the House of Commons agreed in the morning to adjourn the work planned for the day. Parliament will resume its work in mid-March.
An honor like no other
In Canada, state funerals are open to the public and represent the highest form of funeral service in the country. The choice to offer this type of funeral rests in the hands of the Prime Minister in place, with the agreement of the family.
“As these are public ceremonies, they are offered, organized and administered by the Government of Canada, and coordinated in collaboration with the family of the deceased,” we read on the official government website.
The last state funeral was reserved for former Liberal federal prime minister John Turner, who died in 2020. They were held in Toronto. Irish-born journalist and politician Thomas D’Arcy McGee was the first to receive this honor, in 1868.
John A. Macdonald, Canada’s first prime minister, was also the first prime minister to receive a state funeral when he died in 1891, while still in office.
It’s a safe bet that many guests of honor will be present at the state funeral of the former Progressive Conservative prime minister, who died Thursday at the age of 84. His death made headlines in the media around the world.