Former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney will be honored among others by Pierre Karl Péladeau and Wayne Gretzky during his funeral which will take place on Saturday, March 23 at the Notre-Dame Basilica, in downtown Montreal.
Justin Trudeau and former Quebec Prime Minister Jean Charest, who worked closely with Mr. Mulroney, will also deliver speeches in honor of the character.
The former American Secretary of State under George Bush Sr., James Baker, will speak a few words by videoconference, informs Canadian Heritage.
- Listen to Luc Lavoie’s tribute to Brian Mulroney via QUB :
Caroline Mulroney, Brian Mulroney’s eldest daughter, is scheduled to speak.
The funeral will be preceded by a memorial service at the Sir John A. Macdonald Building in Ottawa on Tuesday March 19 and Wednesday March 20, then at Saint-Patrick’s Basilica in Montreal the following Thursday and Friday.
The choice of Saint-Patrick’s Basilica is not a coincidence: inaugurated in 1847, it was mainly frequented by Irish immigrants, a reminder of the Irish roots of the former prime minister, born in Baie-Comeau.
The day of the funeral will begin with a procession of the coffin. The ceremony is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. It will be led by the Archbishop of Montreal, Mr.gr Christian Lépine. Artistic performances are planned.