A solemn parade of dignitaries and personalities presented their condolences to the family of Brian Mulroney on Tuesday morning in Ottawa, while the former prime minister was lying in state near Parliament Hill.
A guard of honor of police officers from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, in red tunics, carried the coffin draped with the maple leaf of the 18th on Tuesday morning.e Canadian Prime Minister inside the Sir John A. Macdonald Building, across from Parliament Hill.
Protocol obliges, it was the Governor General of Canada, Mary Simon, and her husband who first came to pay tribute to the deceased and greet his loved ones.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau then entered alone, before offering his condolences to the members of the Mulroney family and then spending a few moments in front of the coffin. Mr. Trudeau then went to the book of condolences, near an official portrait of Mr. Mulroney, framed with flowers.
Other personalities then came to this first day of worship, including the former Progressive Conservative Prime Minister Joe Clark, the current Speaker of the House of Commons, Greg Fergus, the former Governor General Michaelle Jean and the Conservative leader, Pierre Poilievre.
There was a very tangible warmth between Mr. Poilievre, accompanied by his wife Anaida, and the Mulroney clan.
Former Green Party leader Elizabeth May, who delivered an emotional eulogy on Monday in the House of Commons, came to make the sign of the cross in front of the coffin, visibly moved.
U.S. Ambassador David Cohen greeted the Mulroney family, chatting with widow Mila for several minutes before shaking hands with children Caroline, Nick, Ben and Mark.
A guard of honor around the coffin, made up of RCMP police officers, soldiers and members of the Parliamentary Protective Service, changes every thirty minutes. The awards and medals that Mr. Mulroney received during his career are displayed in a small box placed on the coffin.
Canadians who wish to pay their respects to Mr. Mulroney in Ottawa will be able to pay their respects at his remains from 12:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday afternoon, then Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Visitors will also be able to sign the book of condolences.
Security screening is required for visitors and several downtown streets near Parliament Hill are closed to traffic.
Mr. Mulroney died on February 29 in Florida at the age of 84.
On Monday afternoon, Mila Mulroney, the former prime minister’s widow, and their children took their seats in the gallery of the House of Commons to hear the eulogies — and a few amusing anecdotes — told by politicians from all parties .
The population will also be able to pay tribute to the former Quebec Prime Minister on Thursday and Friday in Montreal, at the Basilica of Saint-Patrick — Mr. Mulroney was very proud of his Irish origins. Thursday morning will be reserved for dignitaries and members of the extended family.
Then, on Saturday morning, Mr. Mulroney’s remains will be transported to the Notre-Dame Basilica, in Old Montreal, for the state funeral at 11 a.m.
Eulogies are to be given by his daughter Caroline and by Justin Trudeau, Pierre Karl Péladeau, Wayne Gretzky, Jean Charest and James Baker, who served as US secretary of state for George Bush Sr.