State funeral held to honor former PM Brian Mulroney

TORONTO >> Politicians, dignitaries and celebrities joined members of the public Saturday at a state funeral to honor Brian Mulroney, one of Canada’s most consequential prime ministers who in the 1980s solidified trade ties with the U.S. and spoke out against South Africa’s apartheid.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and hockey great Wayne Gretzky were among the attendees at Montreal’s Notre-Dame Basilica. Mulroney, who died Feb. 29 at age 84, was prime minister for nine years between 1984 and 1993 and led the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada.

“He shaped our history. He got the big things right,”

Trudeau said to reporters outside the church before going in. “He had a huge impact.”

Mulroney’s legacy includes the North American Free Trade Agreement, signed between Canada, the United States and Mexico during his time as prime minister, his participation in the fight against South African apartheid, the 1991 acid rain accord with the U.S. and the introduction of an unpopular sales tax that represents a significant amount of government revenue.

Trudeau, Gretzky and others delivered eulogies.

“Mr. Mulroney was one of the greatest prime ministers we ever had,” Gretzky said.

Former U.S. Secretary State James Baker was scheduled to delivery an eulogy, but couldn’t attend because of recent back surgery. Tim McBride, a former senior White House official who worked with Baker during George. H. W. Bush’s presidency, delivered Baker’s remarks in his place.

“To those of us south of the Canadian border Brian Mulroney was a friend, a staunch, supportive friend who had the confidence to tell us when he thought a different American approach might serve our country better. We always listened to Brian Mulroney,” McBride said on behalf of Baker.

The guest list included four former prime ministers — Jean Chrétien, Joe Clark, Stephen Harper and Kim Campbell.