Funeral of Brian Mulroney | “He had Canada in his skin”

Former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney “had Canada in his skin,” his daughter Caroline Mulroney said on Saturday in an emotionally charged speech at the Notre-Dame basilica in Old Montreal. She praised her father’s “unique style”, but above all “the great man” that he was throughout his life.

“My father made it his duty to honor sacrifices that allowed him to serve causes greater than himself,” said Mr.^me Mulroney, as a curtain-raiser to his speech to more than a hundred politicians and public figures.

In Baie-Comeau, she recalled, “hard work was a way of life.” “At 16, when the family’s financial situation was difficult, my father suggested that his father enroll in the factory’s apprenticeship program. He would undoubtedly have had a good life, but would not have fulfilled his destiny. My grandfather knew this and declined his offer. Instead, he decided to extend his working days. Her son could thus go to university,” said Caroline Mulroney.

The one who is Ontario’s Minister of Francophone Affairs also remembered her father’s valuable advice throughout her political career. “He advised me not to squander my political capital on minor issues, but to save it for causes that really matter. Life is short, he often told me, but our legacy endures. »

From a more personal point of view, Brian Mulroney “always remained faithful to his friends, in good times as much as when the storm raged,” continued his daughter. “This is why his friendships were deep, lasting, and an integral part of his life. »

M^me Mulroney also did not fail to mention the central role played by his mother, “the love of his life, his best advisor and his partner”, Mila Mulroney. “In perfect harmony, they successfully combined these two passions,” she emphasized, speaking of her parents.

Motivated by leadership

If Brian Mulroney had given a course to become prime minister, “his first lesson would have been that winning is important and that it is okay to enjoy it,” declared Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, whose last speech in this basilica dates back to the funeral of his own father 24 years ago, former Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau.

Examples: free trade, the end of apartheid, the fight against acid rain and repairing the ozone layer. “However, winning just for the sake of winning cannot be the only motivation,” he added, recalling that Mr. Mulroney had put public service at the heart of his commitment and that his ambition to accomplish great things was limitless. .

During the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement, Mr. Trudeau frequently received advice from the man who had preceded him years before. “In the middle of a particularly stormy week, he encouraged me to stay the course,” he said.

“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, in determination. Today is the end of a giant’s evening. But the music continues,” he continued.

Former Prime Minister Jean Charest stressed that Brian Mulroney wanted his two majority mandates as Prime Minister to count. “He chose to spend his political capital, he took risks and thus became one of the rarest leaders,” underlined the politician who had cut his teeth in politics within the Cabinet of this giant.

One of these risks: the tax reform which led to the creation of the goods and services tax (GST) is one. “I cannot imagine an economic policy more unpopular than the implementation of the GST and yet I cannot think of an economic policy more popular than that of all the prime ministers and governments who followed in the footsteps of Brian Mulroney followed,” he recalled.

“Brian championed Canada’s interests with bold vision, but he also understood the importance of ensuring mutual benefits that would enhance the prosperity and security of North America through the promotion of free trade,” noted James Baker, former secretary in the administrations of George HW Bush and Ronald Reagan. As the 93-year-old was hampered by health problems, his tribute was delivered by Tim McBride, who also served in the Bush and Reagan administrations.

“For me, Mr. Mulroney was like a second father,” said the president and CEO of Quebecor, Pierre Karl Péladeau, reiterating the incredible work that the former prime minister did on the board. administration of his company for years.

“His life was built around deep values. And at the top of his values, we found loyalty. We knew that we could always count on him, no matter the circumstances,” Mr. Péladeau persisted, adding that “we will greatly miss his lessons in courage.”

On a personal level, the businessman added, “Brian Mulroney surely inspired me to have a wonderful family like his.”

” To gather “

Canadian hockey legend Wayne Gretzky then took the microphone to recount his memories of the former minister whom he said he first met in 1984, at a hockey game organized for the benefit of Brian Mulroney’s wife’s foundation, 65 Roses.

The relationship continued afterwards, so much so that the politician called him on the sidelines of an edition of the Canada Cup, against the USSR, to encourage him.

“My dad picks up the phone, then he talks, talks, talks [à Brian Mulroney] “, described Wayne Gretzky. He ends up giving me the phone, the Prime Minister wishes me good luck. When I hang up, my father says to me: “Can you imagine that the Prime Minister of Canada called me? »

An anecdote which demonstrates, according to the hockey player, to what extent Brian Mulroney was “proud to be Canadian”. “Coming together, being friendly, helping others and paying tribute: that’s what our country is about,” said Wayne Gretzky.

Emotion filled the room when Mr. Mulroney’s granddaughter, Elizabeth Theodora Lapham, sang the first notes of her grandfather’s favorite song, But what do I have? by Henri Betti and Édith Piaf followed by When Irish Eyes Are Smiling which she sang with Marc Hervieux. The song ended with a recording of Brian Mulroney’s vocals.