Everyday Canadians, dignitaries pay tribute at former prime minister Brian Mulroney's lying in state | CBC News (2024)

CBC News

· Posted: Mar 19, 2024 4:00 AM EDT | Last Updated: March 20

Former colleagues, dignitaries and everyday Canadians lined up Tuesday to say goodbye to former prime minister Brian Mulroney as his official lying-in-state got underway near Parliament Hill.

Ali Brown was one of hundreds of people who felt drawn to pay respects — even though shedidn't much care for Canada's 18th prime minister when he was in office.

"But with this closure, I've come to appreciate him. It shows you that, no matter how you may feel at the time, your mind can be changed" she said.

"So today he's a hero. I wasn't too sure I felt that way at the time. So Mr. Mulroney, rest in peace."

Mulroney'sflag-drapedcasket was carried into the main hall of theSir John A. Macdonald Building on Tuesday morningas his family looked on.

Mulroney'swifeMila, his daughter Caroline and three sonsBen, Mark and Nicolaswere given a private momentbefore a line of cabinet ministers, diplomats and other VIPs made their way into the buildingto paytheir respects to a man being remembered as a giant in Canadian politics.

Mulroney, who was prime minister for nine years between 1984 and 1993, died on Feb. 29 in a Florida hospital. The Progressive Conservative prime ministerwon two majority governments and steered Canada through several consequential — and controversial — policy decision points, including free trade with the United States, the end of the Cold War and the introduction of the GST.

Gov. Gen. Mary Simon, her husband WhitFraserand Prime Minister Justin Trudeauwere the first to pay theirrespects to the family. They then pausedbefore the casket before signing one of three books of condolences— books that soon filled with hundreds of messages.

At one point a pen had to be swapped out after it ran out of ink mid-morning, and new books were brought in.

Former governor generalMichaëlle Jean said she is remembering a man who cared deeply about people and held strong convictions — such as hisopposition to racial apartheid in South Africa.

"He would persist when others would just give up," she said.

Pausing before the casket, former Progressive Conservative prime minister Joe Clark paid tribute to Mulroney's "ability to take his substantial talents and apply with enormous consistency and discipline to trying to make the country a better place."

Green Party Leader Elizabeth May choked back tears as she paused in front of Mulroney's casket.

May, who worked as a policy adviser in Mulroney's government, regaled the house on Monday with a speech praising Mulroney's environmental stewardship and his care for others.

"Let us continue to try to meet that example of a good-hearted, kind-spirited, generous and brilliant Canadian," she told her fellow MPs.

The doors were later opened to the publicTuesday afternoon.

While waiting in line, Robin Averill, a musician originally from Ireland, proudly showed off a photo of himself and Mulroney singing into a microphone in tuxedos.Averill said Mulroney, the proud son of Irish-Canadian Catholic parents, had him sing and play at caucus parties and dances.

"He was great. He used to love to get up on stage with me and sing. Of course we all know what his favourite song was," Averill saidbefore breaking out the chorus ofWhen Irish Eyes Are Smiling.

Mulroney famously sang the song withU.S. President Ronald Reagan at the 1985"Shamrock Summit" in Quebec City, a meeting that's largely celebrated as milestone in the Canada-U.S. relationship.

"I remember him as a great prime minister. To me, he was one of the best we ever had in Canada," saidAverill. "I was proud to know him."

In the past, lying-in-state for Canadian prime ministers has happened in Centre Block, but the main building is undergoing extensive renovations.

On Monday, party leaders and MPs paid tribute to Mulroney's legacy with speeches in the House of Commons. Mulroney died on Feb. 29; the Commonsreturned from a two-week break on Monday.

Mark Mulroneysaid listening in on the tributes and storiesreminded his family of what their father loved most about politics.

"And for us sitting up in the gallery, hearing everybody speak so positively—probably not what he was used to— but he would have loved it, and we did as well," he said with a laugh.

Nicolas Mulroney said it was "incredibly humbling" to hear glowing tributes from friends and former foes.

"We're truly honoured from people across the country and internationally that have taken the time to reach out to say nice things and words of support. I just want to thank everybody on behalf of the family," he said.

WATCH | Canadians queued in the cold to pay their respects toBrian Mulroney:

Public visitation will re-open Wednesday from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. Wednesday

After lying in state in Ottawa, Mulroney will be moved to Montreal,where he will lie in repose at St. Patrick's Basilica.

A state funeral will be held Saturday morning at Notre-Dame Basilica, with eulogies from his daughterCaroline Mulroney, longtime friend and former Quebec premier Jean Charest and hockey icon Wayne Gretzky.

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