The state funeral of former Prime Minister of Canada, Brian Mulroney, takes place this morning at the Notre-Dame Basilica in Montreal.
• Read also: What you need to know about state funerals
Many dignitaries and politicians will be present to pay a final tribute to the “little guy from Baie-Comeau”.
Archive photo, Le Journal de Montréal
The ceremony, presided over by the Archbishop of Montreal, Mgr Christian Lépine, will start at 11 a.m.
Follow the funeral proceedings, minute by minute, here.
1:14 p.m. | Elizabeth Theodora Laphalm, Brian Mulroney’s granddaughter, delivered a moving rendition of the song But what do I have by Edith Piaf, her ancestor’s favorite
12:25 | Marc Hervieux performs “When men will live on love” during the state funeral of Brian Mulroney at the Notre-Dame basilica in Montreal
11:20 a.m. | Relatives of the former prime minister deliver speeches at the ceremony organized at the Notre-Dame Basilica in Montreal
Convalescing following surgery, James A. Baker, former US Secretary of State, regretted not having been able to be present to address the family and loved ones of the man he considers a “ fervent friend” of the United States.
“Brian Mulroney was an inspiring leader and a wonderful human being,” said his colleague Timothy J. McBride on his behalf. Close to Presidents Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush, the senior dignitary was a central player in the Free Trade Agreement between Canada and the United States in 1989 and the North American Free Trade Agreement In 1994.
Ben, Nicolas and Mark Mulroney, the sons of the former prime minister, took the floor to pay tribute to their father.
The former Conservative minister under Brian Mulroney and former Prime Minister of Quebec, Jean Charest, was the last to give a speech at the Notre-Dame basilica on Saturday.
“He knew how to make us laugh and make us cry. […] He never missed an opportunity to tell us that he believed in us and that he loved us. And suddenly the shadow of bad polls would disappear and turn into bright sunshine,” he said.
Next to take the podium, hockey legend Wayne Gretzky delivered a short speech full of anecdotes, such as the time the former prime minister called him to wish him good luck before an important hockey game.
“He was one of the best prime ministers we ever had,” he said.
“One day he said to me: do you remember 1993? it was a big victory for the Canadian! I told him: I was in the other team!”, he added in a sneering tone.
Emotional, Pierre Karl Péladeau, president and CEO of Quebecor, spoke of Brian Mulroney as a “second father”.
“He was a model and example not only in business, but also in my personal life. I would even say that he probably inspired me to have a wonderful family like his. »
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke, recalling times when Brian Mulroney advised him in times of adversity.
“Brian often advised me while we were renegotiating NAFTA, in very uncertain times. In the middle of a particularly stormy week, he encouraged me to stay the course. I can still hear him say to me on the phone: “Justin, remember what your father said: that it’s at the end of the evening that we recognize the best dancers.” It was a lesson in discipline, determination, and perseverance.”
Brian Mulroney’s eldest daughter, Caroline, was the first to deliver a speech in tribute to her father in front of the crowd of dignitaries from across Canada.
“Life is short,” he often told me, “but our legacy endures. His words were invaluable to me, particularly when I was entrusted with the Francophone Affairs file within the Ontario government.”
11:16 a.m. | The Montreal Symphony Orchestra pays tribute to Brian Mulroney
11:00 a.m. | The arrival of the funeral procession marks the start of the ceremony
Joël Lemay / QMI Agency
REUTERS/Blair Gable/Pool
Joël Lemay / QMI Agency
10:50 a.m. | The pallbearers await the arrival of the funeral procession in front of the Notre-Dame basilica
Raphaël Pirro, the Journal de Québec
10:45 a.m. | The funeral procession is on its way to the Notre-Dame basilica
Joël Lemay / QMI Agency
10:40 a.m. | Many dignitaries are present at the Notre-Dame basilica
10:20 a.m. | Citizens braved the cold to see the funeral procession pass.
Charles-Antoine Masson, 20 years old, one of the rare citizens to have braved the storm to see the funeral procession pass.
Olivier Faucher / Journal de Montréal
“It still had an impact on today’s economy with free trade. He leaves a good legacy. He tried to reconcile Quebec with the rest of Canada. Even if it didn’t work, he had this desire and I think it’s important to emphasize it.
-Charles-Antoine Masson, 20 years old
10:15 a.m. | The Mulroney family leaves the Notre-Dame basilica in Montreal
10:15 a.m. | Brian Mulroney’s remains begin their journey to the Notre-Dame Basilica in Montreal
9:38 a.m. | A vast security perimeter has been set up on the site.
RCMP officers attended Brian Mulroney’s state funeral
Photo Guillaume St-Pierre
9:15 a.m. | Several guests arrive at the Notre-Dame basilica in Montreal to pay tribute to the former prime minister.
– Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada
“He demonstrated his passion for this country and his ambition for Canadians.”
– Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada
– François Legault, Premier of Quebec
– Pierre Poilievre, leader of the Conservative Party of Canada
– Eric Girard, Minister of Finance of Quebec
– Luc Lavoie, columnist and former collaborator of Brian Mulroney
– John Parisella, businessman and columnist
“I think Brian is probably, in my opinion, the best prime minister we’ve ever had.”
– Serge Savard, former Montreal Canadiens player
– Pierre-Karl Péladeau, CEO of Quebecor
Olivier Faucher / Journal de Montréal
“We pay tribute and say goodbye today to a great Canadian leader. He was someone who loved Quebec and Canada. We will celebrate his life by beginning our mourning.”
– Erin O’Toole, former leader of the Conservative Party of Canada
Tribute to Brian Mulroney
On the occasion of his state funeral, The newspaper publishes a large tribute file which allows you to relive significant moments in the life of Brian Mulroney, here.
• Here are some notable photos from the life and career of Brian Mulroney
• After Mulroney, the return to the two solitudes
• Brian Mulroney: a deep attachment to Quebec and its French language
• “Brian Mulroney’s priority was his family”
• Brian Mulroney: the Prime Minister on the line
• Brian Mulroney, the businessman
• Brian Mulroney: he modernized the Canadian economy
• Fight against apartheid: “Mulroney gave us hope,” says South African high commissioner