During an ethics and religious culture course, in 2e secondary, we were called to present a historical figure that we admired. While my classmates chose actors, singers and great scientists, my choice, surprising for a young boy of 13, fell on Brian Mulroney.
Having grown up in a very politicized environment, in the weeks that followed I began to deepen my research into the life of this man in order to demystify how the “little guy from Baie-Comeau” reached the highest positions in a country in the G7. What I discovered was a story of determination, courage and accomplishment. From his first failure at the Quebec Bar and the leadership of the Progressive Conservative Party (he finished third, behind Joe Clark winning) to the global charge against apartheid, including major advances both in ecology with the acid rain agreement with the United States as well as in the constitutional negotiations with the Meech Lake agreement, both in public finances with the adoption of the GST and in reconciliation with indigenous peoples, Mr. Mulroney shaped the Canada of today.
The latter’s legacy also reminds us of different times in Canadian diplomacy and Canadian-American relations, notably that of the adoption of NAFTA. His diplomatic skills and his charisma lead him to sing in duets When Irish Eyes Are Smiling with Ronald Reagan while maintaining very good relations with his successors. Today it would be surprising to see Justin Trudeau or his replacement enjoy such complicity with the American president.
At a time of heightened geopolitical uncertainty, Mr. Mulroney’s legacy must not be forgotten. It reminds us of a time not so long ago when Canada demonstrated international leadership and when there was a desire to bring Quebec into the federation “with joy and rejoicing”. Our inability to support our NATO allies and the most recent polls both provincially and federally show us that this period seems to be over. […]
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