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Death and state funeral of Brian Mulroney

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Mulroney in 1984

Former Prime Minister of Canada Brian Mulroney died on February 29, 2024, following several years of declining health. His state funeral was held on March 23.

Background

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Brian Mulroney had undergone emergency surgery for an unspecified reason in December 2020.[1]

In April 2023, it was reported that Mulroney was recovering after being treated for prostate cancer.[2] His daughter, Caroline, stated in August 2023 that her father's health was improving following his cancer treatment in April and a heart procedure in August.[3]

Death

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On February 29, 2024, Mulroney died at a hospital in Palm Beach, Florida.[4][5] He had been hospitalized as the result of a fall at his home in Palm Beach.[5][6]

Mulroney's remains were repatriated on March 8, 2024, arriving at Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier International Airport.[7]

Subsequent events

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A tribute in the House of Commons of Canada occurred on March 18, 2024.[7]

He lay in state at the Sir John A. Macdonald Building in Ottawa on March 19–20, followed by laying in repose at St. Patrick's Basilica, Montreal on March 21–22.[8]

Flags were flown at half-mast on the Peace Tower and all federal buildings and establishments in Canada, from February 29 until sunset on the day of the funeral, March 23, 2024.[9]

State funeral

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Notre-Dame Basilica interior

A state funeral for Mulroney was held at the Notre-Dame Basilica on March 23, 2024.[8] The service featured readings by Mulroney's family and eulogies by his daughter, Ontario cabinet minister Caroline Mulroney, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, former U.S. secretary of state James Baker delivered by colleague Tim McBride, former Mulroney-era cabinet minister and premier of Quebec Jean Charest, hockey player Wayne Gretzky, and businessman Pierre Karl Peladeau.[10][11]

As the funeral procession entered Notre-Dame, church bells tolled 84 times in recognition of Mulroney's age at his death.[12] The Royal Canadian Mounted Police honour guard wearing ceremonial red serge marched the casket into the basilica while uniformed members of the Canadian Armed Forces members keep watch. The Royal Canadian Air Force band played, accompanying the funeral cortege from Saint Patrick's, where Mulroney was lying in repose, to Notre-Dame.[13]

Honarary pallbearers, including former Canadian ambassador to the US Derek Burney, former senator Michel Cogger, businessman Paul Desmarais, Jr., former Canadian ambassador to the UN Yves Fortier, composer David Foster, former Mulroney press secretary Bill Fox, author and former Mulroney speechwriter L. Ian MacDonald, businessman Pierre Karl Péladeau, former Montreal mayor Gérald Tremblay.[14]

A Roman Catholic mass conducted during the service by Archbishop of Montreal Christian Lépine included readings by Mulroney's sons Mark, Ben and Nicolas. Local religious leaders presented prayers, and celebrants received communion.[15]

The funeral featured a mix of classical, religious, and popular music, including a rendition of "Danny Boy" by The Tenors and "Mais qu'est-ce que j'ai?", sung by Mulroney's granddaughter Elizabeth Theodora Lapham. A performance of "When Irish Eyes are Smiling" by Lapham and Marc Hervieux concluded with a recording of Mulroney singing the final verse. Mulroney's recorded voice was also heard singing "We'll Meet Again" at the end of the service as mourners filed out of the basilica.[16]

The ceremony concluded with a 19-gun salute in the Old Port of Montreal while the bell at Notre-Dame tolled 18 times in honour of the country’s 18th prime minister.[17]

Guests

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Among the 1,300 invited guests were Governor General Mary Simon and former governors general Adrienne Clarkson and Michaëlle Jean, former prime ministers Kim Campbell, Jean Chrétien, Joe Clark and Stephen Harper, and former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Beverley McLachlin.[17][15][12]

In addition to sitting Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, were Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, and Green Party leader Elizabeth May.[17]

Twelve of thirteen sitting Canadian premiers were in attendance, including Ontario Premier Doug Ford, Quebec Premier François Legault and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith. Nine former premiers were in attendance, including former Ontario premier Bob Rae and former Quebec premiers Pierre Marc Johnson, Lucien Bouchard, Jean Charest, Pauline Marois, and Philippe Couillard.[17][18][16][19][20]

International guests include ambassadors from countries all over the world such as the U.S., France, Germany, Japan, South Africa and Ukraine as well as Sarah, Duchess of York[17] and former British prime minister John Major.[12]

Other prominent guests included actor Ryan Reynolds, business leaders Conrad Black, Galen Weston Jr., Heather Reisman, Edward S. Rogers III, Harley Finkelstein and members of the Irving, Molson and Bronfman families, comedian Rick Mercer, former NHLers Serge Savard and Vincent Damphousse, and journalists Peter Mansbridge, Jean-François Lépine, Paul Arcand, Robert Fife, and Chantal Hébert.[17][12]

Burial

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Mulroney was buried the same day at a private ceremony,[5][17] at Notre Dame des Neiges Cemetery in Montreal.[21]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Former prime minister Brian Mulroney recovering after emergency surgery". CBC News. December 20, 2020. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
  2. ^ "Former PM Brian Mulroney recovering following cancer treatment". CBC News. April 5, 2023. Archived from the original on April 17, 2023. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
  3. ^ Dawson, Tyler (February 29, 2024). "Former prime minister Brian Mulroney dead at 84". National Post. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
  4. ^ Tunney, Catherine (March 1, 2024). "Brian Mulroney will have a 'right and fitting tribute,' says Trudeau". CBC News. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
  5. ^ a b c "Here's what you need to know about the state funeral for former PM Brian Mulroney". Toronto Star. The Canadian Press. March 15, 2023. Retrieved March 15, 2023.
  6. ^ Cowell, Alan (February 29, 2024). "Brian Mulroney, Prime Minister Who Led Canada Into NAFTA, Dies at 84". The New York Times. Archived from the original on February 29, 2024. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  7. ^ a b Goldrick, Hayley (March 9, 2024). "Body of former prime minister Brian Mulroney arrives back in Canada". CityNews. Toronto, Ontario. The Canadian Press. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  8. ^ a b "State funeral for the Right Honourable Brian Mulroney, P.C., C.C., G.O.Q." Department of Canadian Heritage. March 15, 2023. Retrieved March 15, 2023.
  9. ^ "State funeral for the Right Honourable Brian Mulroney, P.C., C.C., G.O.Q." Government of Canada. March 6, 2024. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  10. ^ "State funeral underway for former prime minister Brian Mulroney". CTV News. March 23, 2024. Retrieved March 23, 2024.
  11. ^ Tunney, Catharine (March 23, 2024). "'He loved this country with all his heart': Former prime minister Brian Mulroney honoured at state funeral". CBC News. Retrieved March 23, 2024.
  12. ^ a b c d "The high-powered guests who attended the state funeral for former prime minister Brian Mulroney". National Post. Canadian Press. March 23, 2023. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  13. ^ "Highlights of the state funeral for Brian Mulroney in Montreal". The Gazette. March 23, 2024. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  14. ^ "Program — In memory of the Right Honourable Martin Brian Mulroney, P.C., C.C., G.O.Q." In memory of the Right Honourable Brian Mulroney, P.C., C.C., G.O.Q. Government of Canada. March 23, 2024. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  15. ^ a b "'One of the greatest': Former prime minister Brian Mulroney commemorated at state funeral". CTV News. March 23, 2024. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  16. ^ a b "'We'll meet again': Scenes from Brian Mulroney's state funeral". CBC News. March 23, 2024. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  17. ^ a b c d e f g "Brian Mulroney's state funeral concludes with 19-gun salute after eulogies from family, Trudeau, Gretzky The family will hold a private burial in Montreal later today". Globe and Mail. March 22, 2024. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  18. ^ "Statement on the State Funeral of the Right Honourable Brian Mulroney". March 23, 2024.
  19. ^ Abelson, Donald (March 24, 2024). "Brian Mulroney's funeral: Loved ones, celebrities and dignitaries honour a global statesman". The Conversation. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  20. ^ "Brian Mulroney's political 'destiny' remembered at state funeral". Global News. March 23, 2024. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  21. ^ "Recherche d'une personne défunte: Brian Mulroney (T01213)". Notre Dame des Neiges Cemetery (in French). Montreal, Quebec. 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
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