Winnipeg Free Press

Winnipeg Free Press (Newspaper) - March 25, 2024, Winnipeg, Manitoba Donate Today www.movementcentre.ca/support TOP NEWS A3 MONDAY MARCH 25, 2024 ● ASSOCIATE EDITOR, NEWS: STACEY THIDRICKSON 204-697-7292 ● CITY.DESK@FREEPRESS.MB.CA ● WINNIPEGFREEPRESS.COM Former prime minister Brian Mulroney remembered in Montreal Friends, family pay heartfelt tribute M ONTREAL — Members of the Canadian establishment gath- ered Saturday to laud Brian Mulroney as a loyal architect of mod- ern-day Canada, one whose love of life and family transcended the rough-and- tumble world of partisan politics. But in the end, it was Canada’s 18th prime minister himself who would have the last word. Mulroney’s distinctive baritone filled Montreal’s Notre-Dame Basilica, posthumously accompanying grand- daughter Elizabeth Theodora Lapham in a version of When Irish Eyes Are Smiling — the song he famously sang with former U.S. President Ronald Reagan during the 1985 “Shamrock Summit.” And as his state funeral wrapped up, his rendition of We’ll Meet Again echoed off the rafters of the cavernous church as his flag-wrapped casket was escorted away by an RCMP honour guard. The day’s elaborate farewell began at nearby St. Patrick’s Basilica, where family members gathered around to escort Mulroney’s funeral procession through the streets of Montreal. Minutes later, a solitary drumbeat heralded their arrival at Notre-Dame, already teeming with friends, business associates and a significant portion of the country’s political elite from the present day and the last half-century. The first in a long list of speakers was Mulroney’s daughter, Caroline, who described her father as an atten- tive and caring parent, grandfather, political mentor and friend. “My dad saw the world in a bigger way than most,” said Mulroney, an On- tario cabinet minister. “His humanity defined him, which is why he transcended politics and con- nected with people in a way that left an indelible mark on their hearts and souls.” The crowd laughed as Caroline poked gentle fun at her father’s love of the spotlight — including a suggestion he wanted be buried with a podium to make speeches — and heard her voice waver as she told more personal stor- ies of his love for her, her three broth- ers, and his wife Mila Mulroney, his partner of 51 years. “Every day of my life, my Dad told me that I was the greatest daughter that God put on this earth,” she said. “Now, we all know how much he liked hyperbole. But how lucky am I that for almost 50 years I was told something so wonderful every single day.” Through tears, she ended her speech, “We adored him. I miss you, Daddy.” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau de- scribed Mulroney as a man motivated by service, leadership, and “getting the big things right.” In his eulogy, he said Mulroney fought for important causes including free trade, standing up against apart- heid in South Africa, and repairing the ozone layer. “As he put it himself, leaders must have vision and they must find the courage to fight for the policies that will give that vision life,” Trudeau said. And he made a thinly veiled jab at Canada’s current federal political landscape: “Leaders must govern not for easy headlines in 10 days, but for a better Canada in 10 years.” The casket was carried to the church under a steady curtain of falling snow, in a funeral procession accompanied by an RCMP mounted escort, a Can- adian Armed Forces honour guard and the Royal Canadian Air Force band. Music filled the church as the casket was carried inside, followed by family members and a group of honorary pall- bearers made up of his closest friends. The church bells tolled 84 times be- fore the service — one for each year of Mulroney’s life — and 18 times after- wards for the 18th prime minister. His eulogizers represented a diverse cross-section of Canadian society, from Trudeau to hockey great Wayne Gretzky, as well as a wide spectrum of political affiliations. Pierre Karl Péladeau, the former leader of the sovereigntist Parti Québécois, described Mulroney as a second father, while, from the other side of the partisan aisle, former Que- bec Liberal premier Jean Charest lauded him for helping build Canada into “one of the greatest countries in the world.” Gretzky, for his part, expressed his pride at seeing past and present prime ministers together. “That’s what our country is all about,” the Great One said. “Coming together, being friendly, helping other people and paying respects.” Many speakers paid tribute to Mul- roney’s love for his large family, which includes 16 grandchildren. His sons Mark, Ben and Nicolas each gave readings. Mulroney, who died Feb. 29 at age 84, was prime minister for nine years between 1984 and 1993 and led the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada. His legacy includes the North Amer- ican Free Trade Agreement between Canada, the U.S. and Mexico; his par- ticipation in the fight against South African apartheid; the 1991 acid rain accord; and the introduction of the GST. James Baker, a former U.S. secre- tary of state, could not be present for health reasons, but described Mulro- ney in a written eulogy as “one of the great leaders to walk this good earth.” “Above all, to those of us south of the Canadian border, Brian Mulroney was a friend,” Baker said in a message read by Timothy J. McBride. Mulroney wasn’t afraid to say when he thought a different American ap- proach would better serve both coun- tries, he added: “We always listened to Brian Mulroney.” In addition to Trudeau, the guest list included four former prime ministers — Kim Campbell, Jean Chrétien, Joe Clark and Stephen Harper, as well as 12 current provincial premiers or ter- ritorial leaders, the leaders of all the major federal opposition parties, and several foreign ambassadors. Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, was also on the list, as was for- mer British prime minister John Ma- jor, actor Ryan Reynolds and members of prominent business families such as Molson, Irving and Bronson. Green Party Leader Elizabeth May, her head draped with a green scarf, highlighted Mulroney’s legacy on cli- mate action, including the acid rain treaty. She also praised his kindness and generosity, saying he would send the “funniest” greetings by text or video. “I’m so grateful for his friendship,” she said before the service. The funeral ended with a 19-gun sa- lute in Montreal’s Old Port, ahead of a private family burial in Montreal. — The Canadian Press MORGAN LOWRIE ADRIAN WYLD / THE CANADIAN PRESS RCMP pallbearers carry the casket following the funeral of former prime minister Brian Mulroney in Montreal, Saturday. PETER MCCABE / THE CANADIAN PRESS Mila Mulroney and her daughter Caroline Mulroney follow the casket Saturday. Public braves snowfall, frigid temperatures to honour former prime minister MONTREAL — The frigid, snow-cov- ered streets of Old Montreal were most- ly empty ahead of former prime minis- ter Brian Mulroney’s funeral, save for a handful of determined mourners from the general public who gathered at the edge of the security barrier surround- ing Notre-Dame Basilica. Members of the public weren’t al- lowed in the public square in front of the church, leaving fans of Mulroney to loiter on sidewalks along the periphery in hopes of catching a glimpse of the fu- neral procession. Seventy-four-year-old Colleen Haw- ley said she travelled all the way from Amherst, N.S., to say goodbye to her fa- vourite prime minister. “I always admired him and thought he brought a lot of common sense to the table and really had Canada’s best interest in everything he did,” she said from the street to the west of the ba- silica, her sneakers damp from the ac- cumulating snow. Initially the sole mourner on the windswept roadway, Hawley said she was determined to wait outside until Mulroney’s funeral procession passed. “I feel so so sorry that he has depart- ed us,” she said. A small group of people eventually formed around her. Among them were Pauline and Brenda Woodall, sisters from Ontario who came to Montreal for the World Figure Skating Champion- ships this weekend and were inspired to stop by the funeral. “We thought, this is a moment in history and he was quite the polit- ician and statesman, so we thought we would pay our respects,” said Pauline Woodall, 66. “He was a great man, when you think of everything that he put in for our country,” added 60-year-old Brenda. “He loved our country.” A block away, 65-year-old Michel Morin took shelter from the snow inside a doorway facing the basilica. He said he travelled from Quebec City early Saturday morning in hopes of watch- ing the funeral ceremony, but was dis- mayed he couldn’t approach the event. Tents and a stage for members of the media largely blocked Morin’s view of the church. “I thought it was important to come here to say a last goodbye,” Morin said, affectionately referring to Mulroney, a fellow Quebecer, as the “little guy from our home.” Nearby, 61-year-old Kathleen Girard paced the street trying to get a glimpse of some of the funeral’s high-profile at- tendees, which included numerous past political leaders, hockey legend Wayne Gretzky and actor Ryan Reynolds. She came to Montreal from the town of Plessisville, southwest of Quebec City, for an unrelated event but said she re- spected what she described as Mulro- ney’s down-to-earth personality and selflessness. “In all the interviews with people who knew him, they say he was very human man, very close to the people,” Girard said. “When he made decisions, he didn’t do so for himself, for his pres- tige, he made them for the community.” — The Canadian Press THOMAS MACDONALD ;