Au revoir to the P'tit Gars de Baie-Comeau: Brian Mulroney laid to rest
As snow fell on a very cold Montreal morning, politicians, celebrities, hockey stars and friends of Brian Mulroney entered Notre-Dame Basilica to pay their respects.
Le P'tit Gars de Baie-Comeau was remembered as a great Canadian and one of the most consequential prime ministers in the country's history.
"He had a huge impact 40 years ago," said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. "He had a huge impact four years ago, as he helped Canada and me negotiate through a very challenging time with our free trade deal with the United States."
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, right, and former prime minister Brian Mulroney speak during the Atlantic Economic Forum at St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, N.S. on Monday, June 19, 2023. (Darren Calabrese, The Canadian Press)
Many spoke about his ability to accomplish big projects like the Free Trade Agreement, and what that meant for his home province of Quebec.
"The impact was so great on Quebec companies," said Premier Francois Legault. "We saw a very important increase in exportation, and of course it created good jobs in Quebec."
Quebec Premier Francois Legault arrives to the funeral of former prime minister Brian Mulroney, in Montreal, Saturday, March 23, 2024. (Sean Kilpatrick, The Canadian Press)
John Parisella was chief of staff to former Quebec premier Robert Bourassa, who was in power when Mulroney was prime minister.
He said that when it came to US relations, there was no one better than Mulroney.
"A strong relationship with an American president gives us more influence in the rest of the world," said Parisella. "And I think he's the model when it comes to Canada, the U.S. relations."
"When my mother turned 80, he called her," said Parisella. "He found out about it. He called me and says, 'give me her number.' Well, I said, 'let me call her before she gets a heart attack getting the prime minister to call.' He called her and he sang 'When Irish Eyes Were Smiling' on the phone to her."
Many give Mulroney credit for fighting environmental issues when it wasn't a top priority for politicians.
"To really be a voice that influenced the world around protecting the ozone layer and fighting against acid rain was something that was quite remarkable," said NDP leader Jagmeet Singh.
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh pays his respects at the casket of former prime minister Brian Mulroney as he lies in state at the Sir John A. Macdonald building opposite Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Tuesday, March 19, 2024. (Sean Kilpatrick, The Canadian Press)
Quebecers remember Mulroney as someone who was inclusive, trying to bring Quebec into the constitution while also working closely with his opponents.
"He did not treat his political adversaries as enemies," said Parisella. "I think that's so important. Civility in politics is important and Brian Mulroney was the incarnation of civility in politics."
"He was able to find some solutions, and I think sometimes it's missing now in politics," said Quebec Justice Minister Simon Jolin-Barrette.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Some structural damage' from wildfire near Fort Nelson, B.C., mayor confirms
More than one home has been damaged or lost due to a massive wildfire outside of the B.C. community of Fort Nelson, the mayor confirmed Wednesday.
'Very expensive lunch': Sask. driver says he got a cellphone ticket for using his points app in the drive-thru
A warning from a Saskatoon driver about using your fast-food app while in the drive-thru line — a trip to get some free lunch cost him a lot more than he bargained for.
B.C. YouTuber ordered to pay $350K for 'relentless' online defamation campaign
An 'unrepentant' YouTuber has been ordered to pay $350,000 in damages as compensation for a 'relentless' campaign of defamation waged online against a business owner and his company, the B.C. Supreme Court has ruled.
Chief says grave search at B.C. residential school brings things 'full circle'
Chief Robert Michell says relief isn't the right word to describe his reaction as the search begins for unmarked graves at the site of a former residential school he attended in northern British Columbia.
'Endless Shrimp' just one misstep for Red Lobster as it eyes bankruptcy protection
While it's unclear what these closures might mean for the 27 restaurants in Canada, Red Lobster is expected to file for bankruptcy protection in the U.S. this month.
B.C. man shot sex worker in the back during drug-fuelled birthday, court hears
A man from B.C.'s Lower Mainland has been sentenced to four years behind bars after shooting a sex worker in the back during a drug-fuelled 43rd birthday.
'Inhumane conditions': 68 dogs pulled from Winnipeg home
Nearly six dozen dogs were seized from a home Wednesday morning by the Winnipeg Humane Society. It is the largest known seizure of animals in the city’s history.
Ontario's 'Crypto King' Aiden Pleterski arrested
Of the $40-million Aiden Pleterski was handed over two years, documents show he invested just over one per cent and instead spent $15.9 million on "his personal lifestyle." The 25-year-old Oshawa, Ont. man was arrested and charged with fraud and money laundering on Tuesday.
Driver said he smoked pot oil, took medication before Florida crash that killed 8 Mexican workers
A man with a long record of dangerous driving told investigators he smoked marijuana oil and took prescription drugs hours before he sideswiped a bus, killing eight Mexican farmworkers and injuring dozens more, according to an arrest report unsealed Wednesday.