One of the great PMs

Re: Mulroney’s Place In History, Michael Bliss, Sept. 15. In assessing the qualities of prime ministerial greatness, Michael Bliss asserts that the government record is all that counts. He then goes on to summarize the mandates of those he deems great prime ministers, but is hard-pressed to do as much for Mr. Mulroney.

Let me help him: Mr. Mulroney’s framework economic policies (e.g. free trade and a reform of the tax system) set the stage for the strong economy that Canadians have enjoyed since the early 1990s. As to free trade, the former prime minister’s paternity is beyond doubt: Mr. Mulroney brokered a deal, then fought and won an election on it. The acid rain treaty, his government’s lasting contribution to the environment, recently won him praise as the best PM ever in this category. In regard to international matters, he contributed significantly to end South African apartheid, to the creation of La Francophonie and to improved relations with the G- 7 and Russia.

And, while Prof. Bliss does not appreciate Mr. Mulroney’s constitutional initiatives, the vast majority of Quebecers think otherwise. This impressive record allows Mr. Mulroney to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the likes of Macdonald, Laurier, Borden and King.

Prof. Bliss also states that Mr. Mulroney’s greatness as a prime minister has little to do with the revelations in Peter Newman’s book, but discusses them nonetheless. Shame on him. Mr. Newman’s peers have already offered their views as to the form of journalism this represents. As a manufacturer who was subjected to the unfair advantage that the old Federal Sales Tax (FST) gave to imported goods, I can attest to the importance of Mr. Mulroney’s introduction of the GST. Getting rid of the FST had been promised since the 1950s, but no previous governments had the courage to tackle it. W. Anderson, Winnipeg.