(Ottawa) A state funeral will be celebrated Sunday in Ottawa for former leader of the New Democratic Party (NDP), Ed Broadbent.
Mr Broadbent died on January 11 at the age of 87. He was an MP for more than two decades and led the NDP for 14 years in the 1970s and 1980s.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who will attend the funeral, said it will be an opportunity for Canadians to pay tribute to the legacy of Ed Broadbent, who led the NDP to its best electoral results until Jack Layton broke this record in 2011.
Current NDP leader Jagmeet Singh has also confirmed his presence.
State funerals are generally reserved for people who have served as governor general, prime minister or minister. Prominent Canadians can also have a state funeral, if the Prime Minister deems it appropriate.
As leader of the NDP, Ed Broadbent faced four different prime ministers, including Pierre Elliott Trudeau, the father of current Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and Brian Mulroney.
Throughout his career, Ed Broadbent has received numerous distinctions, including several honorary doctorates. He also became a member of the King’s Privy Council in 1982, was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1993 and was promoted to Companion of the Order of Canada in 2001.
“Canada is better off because of the dedicated service of Ed Broadbent. A defender of equality and justice, his commitment to helping others has never wavered. This state funeral will provide us with the opportunity to pay tribute to his incredible legacy, which will undoubtedly remain a source of inspiration for generations of Canadians,” said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Flags at all federal government buildings across the country, including the Peace Tower, will be flown at half-mast from sunrise to sunset on Sunday.
Funeral services will be held at the Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Center at 4 p.m. in Ottawa.
The ceremony will be broadcast live on the Department of Canadian Heritage’s Facebook and YouTube channels.