A state funeral will be held for former prime minister Brian Mulroney, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced.
Known as a Progressive Conservative, Mulroney made a lasting impact on Canadian history. The 84-year-old passed away Thursday in Florida. According to his daughter Caroline, he died "peacefully surrounded by family".
As the leader of the at-times fractious coalition of Western conservatives, Red Tories, and Quebec nationalists, Mulroney built a political career marked by his birth in Baie-Comeau, Que., in 1939.
In addition to securing the original NAFTA trade deal with the United States and Mexico, that coalition passed the goods and services tax as well.
Among other achievements, he was commended for his activism against apartheid in South Africa, leading global sanctions that brought an end to that regime, and his accomplishments in environmental protection.
Between 1984 and 1993, Mulroney led Canada as its 18th prime minister.
During a press conference in Sudbury, Ont., Trudeau said the details of the state funeral will soon be revealed, and Canadians will soon be able to express their gratitude.
News agencies were told Friday that the Mulroney family is planning to hold the state funeral in Montreal. There are still a few details to be announced about the funeral and Mulroney's repatriation from Florida. It is expected that members of the Mulroney family will confirm those details in the coming days, but no further public statements will be made.
Justin Trudeau told reporters Thursday night that Mulroney was "committed to this country, loved it with all his heart, and served it for many years in many different ways."
“He shaped our past, but he shapes our present and he will impact our future as well. He was an extraordinary statesman and he will be deeply, deeply missed.”
The Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre told reporters that Mulroney inspired him with his "humble beginnings" and successes throughout his life. He spoke with Mulroney six weeks before he passed away.
“I know all Canadians join with me in saying that we will miss that deep, beautiful, rich voice and that big, friendly, Irish smile,” he said.
Jagmeet Singh, leader of the NDP, called Mulroney's death a "significant loss."
Mulroney's death led to an early adjournment of the House of Commons on Thursday night.
He is survived by his wife, Mila, and four children. Among the family members are Caroline Mulroney, who is president of the Ontario Treasury Board and the minister of francophone affairs, and Ben Mulroney, who is a popular TV personality. Mark Mulroney and Nicholas Mulroney both work in banking.
//Source: global news
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