Brian Mulroney's sons thank Canadians, politicians for outpouring of support
Mulroney will lie in state in Ottawa and Montreal ahead of Saturday's funeral
Former prime minister Brian Mulroney's three sons thanked Canadians and federal political leaders for the outpouring of support they've received since their father's death late last month.
Ben, Mark and Nicolas Mulroney spoke briefly to reporters after the House of Commons officially commemorated the life and legacy of the late Conservative stalwart. Their sister Caroline and mother Mila joined them in the gallery for the speeches that paid tribute to the man Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called "one of the lions of Canadian politics"
Mark said listening in reminded them of what their father loved 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.
"He enjoyed every minute of the back and forth parliamentary process, the debate. And seeing it today, seeing how it was, we obviously understand what drew him here, but what also he loved about it."
Nicolas Mulroney, who was born during his father's time at 24 Sussex, said it was "incredibly humbling" to hear from friends and former foes.
"Being the youngest member of the family, this is certainly not something I grew up used to and especially for the grandkids, they get to see and experience something so special," he said.
"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."
The family was in Ottawa for the start of a week of remembrance, culminating in the state funeral in Montreal on Saturday.
When Mulroney died on Feb. 29 at the age of 84, the House of Commons suspended operations before going on a pre-planned two-week break.
MPs returned Monday on a sombre note as leaders and MPs rose to pay tribute to Canada's 18th prime minister.
Trudeau reminisced about one of his last encounters with Mulroney at his alma mater, St. Francis Xavier University, when they toured Mulroney Hall last year.
Trudeau said that as they walked together through a replica of the prime minister's Centre Block office, they reflected on the "wisdom that he and my dad both shared, that leadership, fundamentally, is about getting the big things right, no matter what your political stripe or your style."
"He wouldn't let himself succumb to temporary pressure. He was motivated by service. And those things, those big things, have stood the test of history four decades and counting," he said.
Mulroney's Progressive Conservatives governed Canada from 1984 to 1993. He won two majority governments and steered Canada through several consequential policy decision points, including free trade with the United States, the end of the Cold War and the introduction of the GST.
"He had the wisdom to understand that the best way to fight back was to embrace our friends," said Trudeau, who leaned on Mulroney when free trade negotiations were reopened with the Donald Trump administration.
"Brian Mulroney's principles helped shape this nation, and the world, for the better, and we will all continue that work."
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre opened his remarks by describing Mulroney's humble origin as the son of a paper mill electrician in the forestry town of Baie-Comeau, Que.
"I was just becoming aware there was such a thing as prime minister when he had that job. And like millions of young people from similar backgrounds, we looked to him and said — if the Irish son of a working-class electrician from a mill town can rise to become prime minister, then in this country, anyone from anywhere can do anything," Poilievre said to general applause.
He also spoke of Mulroney's famous personal touch, telling a story about meeting a mechanic in Ottawa whose father was a miner with the Iron Ore Company of Canada, when Mulroney served as its president.
Poilievre said that decades later, when the mechanic's father died, Mulroney called the family,
"That is kindness. That is humility," he said
Poilievre said Mulroney elevated phone conversations to "an art form."
"Using the telephone the way Michelangelo may have used a chisel or a brush, he would do it to make business deals, charm foreign leaders, and more importantly to comfort grieving or suffering friends," said Poilievre.
"He would console, joke, or even throw in the odd curse about the unfairness of it all and his friends' turmoil melted into the astonishment that one of the country's greatest prime ministers had offered love and laughter."
'He can charm the birds out of the trees': May
One of the people who received one of those phone calls was Elizabeth May, who worked as a policy adviser to Mulroney's environment minister before becoming leader of the federal Green Party.
"I'd love to tell you what he said ... he's so darn funny, but I really can't repeat it," she told the House.
"There's no real way to explain how he can charm the birds out of the trees. He sure as heck could."
She praised the former prime minister for ushering in one of the world's most successful environmental treaties, the Montreal Protocol.
"Brian Mulroney quite literally saved all life on earth when Canada stood up and launched the Montreal Protocol and saved the ozone layer," she said.
"Let us continue to try to meet that example of a good-hearted, kind-spirited, generous and brilliant Canadian."
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh also applauded the former Progressive Conservative leader's environmental record, his campaign against racial apartheid in South Africa and his respect for the role of journalists.
"Prime Minister Mulroney will be remembered as someone who took big chances while he was in office," he said. "While there are great many issues, of course, he and I would not agree on, I want to acknowledge the legacy he leaves behind after a long career of dedicated public service.
"At a time of more heightened divisions, where some political leaders try to score points by pitting one group of people against another, Mr. Mulroney will be remembered as someone who tried to build unity."
Bloc Quebecois MP Louis Plamondon, who was elected as an MP in Mulroney's party the year he became prime minister, said he will be remembered as a great Canadian and a great Quebecer.
"He loved Mila, his wife and lifelong companion. He was so proud of his children and he cherished his role as a grandfather," he said in French.
State funeral this Saturday
Mulroney will lie in state on Tuesday and Wednesday in Ottawa near Parliament Hill. Gov. Gen. Mary Simon and Trudeau are set to offer condolences to the Mulroney family Tuesday morning.
His casket will then travel to Montreal ahead of the state funeral on Saturday.
His daughter Caroline, longtime friend and colleague Jean Charest and hockey star Wayne Gretzky will deliver the eulogies.
The funeral ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. ET and is expected to last two hours.
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With files from the Canadian Press