(Ottawa) Former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney will “obviously” be entitled to a state funeral, Justin Trudeau announced Friday.
The government will work with the family to ensure that “their wishes are respected”, but it goes without saying that a state funeral is on the program to pay tribute to the “little guy from Baie-Comeau”, declared Friday Prime Minister Trudeau during a brief press scrum in Sudbury, Ontario.
“I can also confirm that there will be opportunities for Canadians to express their gratitude and offer their tribute to the former prime minister and his family,” he added. He marked the history of this country, he marked the present of this country. »
Tributes from the political class continued to rain in on Friday, the day after the death of Brian Mulroney, who governed Canada from 1984 to 1993.
New Democratic leader Jagmeet Singh credited him with having made room for Quebecers within the federation.
“He really tried hard to include Quebec and Quebecers, and I think that’s really important if you look at the history, the context, Quebec has always been treated as less important, and French speakers in general have suffered discrimination,” he argued.
“The fact that he really worked hard on this idea is something that inspires me,” he continued at a press briefing in parliament.
The flags flying on the Peace Tower of the Center Block and on all Government of Canada buildings and establishments have been lowered to half-mast in memory of the 18e Canadian Prime Minister, who died at the age of 84 on Thursday.
They will remain so until dusk on the day of the funeral or memorial service.
The Quebec flag was also lowered to half-mast, and will remain so for the same period of time.
A noted charisma
Tributes poured in after the announcement of Brian Mulroney’s death, here and elsewhere.
The man’s charisma as well as his ability to build friendships constantly come up in the testimonies.
Former President George W. Bush, for example, alluded to it in his message of condolences.
“He was intelligent and charming, funny and kind. He had a beautiful voice and a beautiful wife, Mila. As Prime Minister of Canada, Brian helped end the Cold War, working closely with Presidents Ronald Reagan and George HW Bush. “, he stressed.
“He developed a very close friendship with my father,” noted the former American president on the X account of the George W. Bush Presidential Center, recalling in passing the funeral oration that the Canadian leader delivered at the funeral of his father, in 2018.