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
Canada to launch 'national action plan' to fight auto theft
The federal government is launching what it calls its 'national action plan' to combat auto thefts, which will include stronger penalties for thieves, and increased information sharing between police agencies, government officials and border enforcement.
U.S. Supreme Court rejects appeal from former Guantanamo detainee Omar Khadr
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday rejected an appeal by a Canadian-born former Guantanamo detainee who was seeking to wipe away his war crimes convictions, including for killing a U.S. soldier in Afghanistan.
What is BORG drinking, and why is it a dangerous trend? An expert explains
If you've been to a party lately and haven't seen someone drinking a BORG, you're likely not partying with college students.
Iran's president and foreign minister die in helicopter crash at moment of high tensions in Mideast
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and the country's foreign minister were found dead Monday hours after their helicopter crashed in fog, leaving the Islamic Republic without two key leaders as extraordinary tensions grip the wider Middle East.
Michael Cohen says he stole from Trump's company as defence presses key hush money trial witness
Former Donald Trump attorney Michael Cohen admitted Monday to jurors in the Republican's hush money trial that he stole tens of thousands of dollars from Trump's company as defence lawyers seized on the star witness' misdeeds to attack his credibility.
The world's best airline is paying staff a bonus of 8 months' salary
Singapore Airlines will reward its employees with a bonus worth nearly eight months of salary, a person familiar with the matter told CNN on Friday.
Woman, 35, in critical condition after her truck collided with a Via Rail train near Montreal
A 35-year-old woman is in critical condition after the pick-up truck she was driving was struck by a Via Rail passenger train Monday morning in Quebec's Monteregie region.
Investors watching posts from 'Crypto King' in the wake of fraud, money laundering charges
Former investors of the self-styled “Crypto King” say they are watching his social media accounts and worried his displays of wealth are signs he’s spending their money, even now, as another large expense tied to Aiden Pleterski has triggered a previously unreported lawsuit.
Almost 2 months after it destroyed Baltimore's Key Bridge, the Dali cargo ship has been moved
The cargo ship Dali is being moved from the site of its catastrophic collision with the Francis Scott Key Bridge in a crucial step toward fully reopening the busy Port of Baltimore.