Honourable senators, today I wish to pay tribute to Canada’s eighteenth prime minister, the Right Honourable Brian Mulroney. I wish to add my voice to those of the many Canadians saying goodbye to one of Canada’s best statesmen while honouring his outstanding record of accomplishments.

The Right Honourable Brian Mulroney was a towering figure in Canadian politics. He captured the imagination of Canadians with his bold vision for the future as he assumed the leadership of the Progressive Conservative Party in 1983. His crowning achievement came in the federal election of 1984, where he led his party to a landslide victory, securing the largest number of seats in Canadian history and winning over 50% of the popular vote.

As former Prime Minister Mulroney embarked on a transformative journey, characterized by sweeping economic reforms and visionary policies aimed at securing Canada’s prosperity and global competitiveness, at the heart of his agenda was the Canada-U.S. Free Trade Agreement. At the 1985 “Shamrock Summit,” Brian Mulroney joined hands with former U.S. president Ronald Reagan, declaring, “Our message is clear here and around the world — Canada is open for business again.” These words reflected Mulroney’s vision of a Canada that embraced innovation, entrepreneurship and global engagement — a vision that continues to shape the nation’s identity and trajectory to this day.

However, the legacy of Brian Mulroney is more than just economic. He was a leader guided by principle, compassion and moral clarity. He was a tireless advocate for human rights, justice and equality. His fight against apartheid in South Africa is the best example of this.

He was a respected figure on the world stage who had direct contact and personal connections with the President of the United States and the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, just to name two. Yet Brian was also a caring individual, someone who would call you up to see how you and your family members were doing when times were difficult. No other leader in Canada has ever worked a Rolodex like he did. And he was not only happy to mingle with presidents and kings; he was the same funny and delightful individual with any crowd. Brian Mulroney was just as at ease in a tavern in Baie-Comeau as he was in the White House.

Colleagues, as we say goodbye to a giant in Canadian politics, let’s remember Brian Mulroney’s incredible life and contributions to our nation. May his memory serve as a beacon of hope, inspiration and guidance for all Canadians, reminding us of the transformative power of leadership grounded in integrity, compassion and a relentless pursuit of progress.

I know those Irish eyes are smiling today.

Thank you.

Honourable senators, I also rise today to pay tribute to Canada’s eighteenth prime minister, the Right Honourable Brian Mulroney, who passed away on February 29.

Martin Brian Mulroney was born in Baie-Comeau, an anglophone welcomed by francophone Quebec as member of the family. After studying law at Université Laval, he practised successfully as a lawyer, specializing in labour law. His interest and involvement in politics started early in life, back when he joined the Tory Club as a student at St. Francis Xavier University, in Nova Scotia. He achieved his goal of leading the party in 1983. In 1984, after one of the most resounding victories in Canadian history swept the Progressive Conservatives to power with over 50% of the popular vote, Brian Mulroney became Prime Minister.

Whether one agrees or disagrees with all of his policies, Brian Mulroney’s negotiation of a free trade agreement with the United States and his government’s introduction of a goods and services tax are seminal to his legacy. But what I’m sure we can all agree on is former Prime Minister Mulroney’s refusal to go along to get along on the issue of apartheid in South Africa. Three months after the 1984 election, he hosted then-Bishop Desmond Tutu, and so began the fight against apartheid. Canada became the de facto leader in these efforts, as Brian Mulroney attempted to rally Western and Commonwealth nations in subjecting South Africa to sanctions.

In 1985, in his address to the UN General Assembly, former Prime Minister Mulroney stated unequivocally:

If there is no progress in the dismantling of apartheid, Canada’s relations with South Africa may have to be severed absolutely.

While both former President Reagan and former Prime Minister Thatcher refused to impose sanctions against South Africa, former Prime Minister Mulroney would not be swayed.

Less than 24 hours after his release in 1990, Nelson Mandela called former Prime Minister Mulroney to thank him for his support. Four months later, Nelson Mandela addressed a joint session of the House of Commons and Senate, where he stated:

I would like to take this opportunity to salute the great Canadian people . . . . They have proved themselves not only to be steadfast friends of our struggling people but great defenders of human rights and the idea of democracy itself.

As we all know, Brian Mulroney could tell a good story and enjoyed making people laugh, often at his own expense. Speaking at a fundraiser for a children’s centre 20 years after his departure from Ottawa, he ended by explaining why, in 1993, he decided to step down:

I decided it was time to go when I realized that more people believed that Elvis was alive than approved of me.

Colleagues, the magnitude and legacy of the work of leaders can only be evaluated when looking back. In one of his final speeches, former Prime Minister Mulroney said:

I have learned over the years that history is unconcerned with the trivia and the trash of rumours and gossip floating around Parliament Hill. . . . History is only concerned with the big-ticket items that have shaped the future of Canada.

During his tenure, Brian Mulroney did indeed shape our future.

On behalf of the Senate of Canada, I extend my sincere condolences to Prime Minister Mulroney’s wife, Mila, and to his children, Ben, Caroline, Mark and Nicolas.

May his memory be a blessing.

Honourable senators, on behalf of all members of the Independent Senators Group, I offer our sincere condolences to the family of the Right Honourable Brian Mulroney.

As Canada’s eighteenth prime minister, he left a significant legacy, both domestically and internationally. Among other things, he oversaw the post-recession revival of the Canadian economy and the negotiations that led to the ratification of the first Canada-U.S. free trade agreement, followed by the North American Free Trade Agreement, or NAFTA. Historians will give him his rightful place not only in the history of our country, but also in world history.

As prime minister, Brian Mulroney lived up to his constituents’ expectations, expectations that related to the good economic and social governance of the country, the strengthening of federal-provincial relations and even the advancement of world peace.

In that regard, he earned the support of Canadians across the country and he made them feel proud. Canadians were honoured when, in 1985, he stood before a packed audience at the United Nations and courageously rose above the ideological divisions between the East and West blocs to strongly and skilfully condemn the apartheid regime and boldly plead for human rights and dignity to prevail. His actions marked a turning point in the fight against apartheid.

In the end, Mandela, Tutu and Boesak were right, and history has already placed Brian Mulroney, Prime Minister of Canada, by their side.

He also devoted all his energy to building stronger and more amicable federal-provincial relationships and invested a lot of his time in the negotiation of constitutional arrangements. Even though these negotiations did not necessarily yield the desired outcomes, he succeeded in ensuring a more equitable sharing of powers, the respect of jurisdictions and the specific recognition of Quebec in the confederated nation — a nation he would continue to serve even after leaving political life and to the limit of his capacity.

Indeed, the mandates he was given were numerous and varied, from acting as a mediator to being an adviser to his successors as well as to other personalities and thought leaders, both at home and internationally. Today, we pay tribute to this eminent statesman who demonstrated such an exceptional sense of duty to his country — a politician and parliamentarian who, despite this sad era of cynicism toward the men and women who devote themselves to the public sphere, continues to inspire recognition, gratitude and respect.

It is also the man who distinguished himself through his humility, charisma, kindness and sense of family whom we grieve today, from coast to coast. “The boy from Baie-Comeau,” the great Quebecer, the proud Canadian — it’s to this man we express our gratitude for his service to our country and his contribution to democracy, both within and outside our borders. Above all, we express to him our most profound admiration for having never forgotten his roots and remaining, at any time and in any place, a man of the people.

May he rest in peace.

Honourable senators, in the minds of those who followed politics in the 1980s and the 1990s, the name Brian Mulroney is associated with the arrival of the GST, the first free trade agreement between Canada and the United States, the privatization of Petro-Canada, Air Canada and CN, and the list goes on.

On the constitutional issue, in the tradition of previous Progressive Conservative leaders such as Bob Stanfield and Joe Clark, he proposed a different idea that led to the Meech Lake Accord, after winning over a majority of Quebecers; unfortunately, that accord never came to fruition.

Brian Mulroney was also very famous for coining the right question or saying the right sentence. In 1987, he said to the Americans:

. . . why do think it is that the United States can do a nuclear weapons reduction treaty with it’s worst enemy, the Soviet Union, but you can’t do a free trade deal with your best friends, the Canadians?

That was a good question. That would lead to the first North American Free Trade Agreement, or NAFTA.

I also remember that, in 1990, he was Canada’s only prime minister to use a section of the Constitution to appoint 8 extra senators in addition to the usual 105. This was to overcome partisan obstruction to the GST. Major changes to the Senate Rules followed, including time allocations for government business, and still leave a legacy.

Prime Minister Mulroney was also ahead of his time on the environment, mindful of the damage caused by acid rain on Canadian lakes and rivers. In 1991, he led a successful treaty with our neighbours and friends, the United States. His skills and networking continued to benefit Canadians after he left the Prime Minister’s Office. The current Liberal government enrolled him to assist in negotiating the most recent free trade agreement with the U.S. and Mexico.

In conclusion, from humble beginnings to global leadership, he remained dedicated to his country, to his province, his friends and his family.

On behalf of the Progressive Senate Group, I offer our sincere condolences to his wife, Mila, their four children and sixteen grandchildren, and to all those who share their heartbreaking loss.

Thank you.

Honourable senators, I rise to pay tribute to a political titan, the former Conservative Prime Minister, the Right Honourable Brian Mulroney.

To me, growing up as a young political geek from Saskatchewan, Brian Mulroney was a rock star. I faithfully watched “This Week in Parliament” on TV every Saturday night, and I was awestruck by Mr. Mulroney. He was proudly, unabashedly Conservative. He would trounce the Liberals who sat across from him in the House of Commons, first as opposition leader and later as Prime Minister, but always with a dose of wit and his trademark Irish charm.

Mulroney fought one of Canada’s toughest elections, the 1988 free trade agreement election. It was my first election, both as a voter and as a Progressive Conservative youth campaign volunteer. I attended two huge national PC party conventions in 1989 and 1991. This was like Disneyland to me, and a chance to hear incredible speeches live from Prime Minister Mulroney, one of the best political orators Canada has ever seen. His words were moving to a young person like me, for they spoke of a united, free and prosperous Canadian future.

Prime Minister Mulroney was a remarkably adept Conservative politician, winning two back-to-back majority governments, a feat unparalleled since Sir John A. Macdonald. Mulroney had a grand vision. He took real action on issues of vital importance because, as he said in his 1991 convention speech:

. . . we are not doing all these difficult things because they are popular. We are doing them because they are right for Canada.

Prime Minister Mulroney will be remembered for naming strong women to prominent positions both around his Conservative cabinet table and throughout his government, which inspired a politically interested young woman like me to dream big about my own potential political future. From the time I was 12, I wanted to be a senator. My admiration for Mulroney and the talented women he promoted was a major reason for that.

Prime Minister Mulroney was also an early supporter of Ukraine. Under his leadership in 1991, Canada became the first Western government to recognize Ukraine’s independence. He also appointed some excellent Ukrainian Canadians like Ramon Hnatyshyn, Don Mazankowski and senators Raynell Andreychuk and David Tkachuk.

This Prime Minister also significantly impacted my home province of Saskatchewan. The Mulroney government gave Saskatchewan farmers a $1 billion aid package in 1986 when they were in dire need. Mulroney and Saskatchewan PC premier Grant Devine further worked together to create Saskatchewan’s Cameco, now the largest uranium company in the world. Mulroney also overcame opposition to build our province’s Rafferty Dam, a major source of irrigation and power in southeastern Saskatchewan.

I only met Brian Mulroney in person once, but it was memorable not only because of his substantial political presence but also since I experienced his legendary warmth and charm. I felt I was 12 again, awed by standing in the presence of greatness.

For all his many accomplishments, I’m certain that Mr. Mulroney will say his outstanding family was his greatest achievement. Mila, Mark, Ben, Nicolas, Caroline and your families, Canada mourns with you in this loss of a great Canadian man and leader. Thank you.

Honourable senators, I rise today to pay tribute to the eighteenth prime minister of Canada, the Right Honourable Brian Mulroney. His loss was a shock to us all.

Mr. Mulroney, who governed our country from 1984 to 1993, left a lasting mark on our nation. He was a great statesman and an experienced diplomat with a unifying vision for the country.

In his tenure as Canada’s Prime Minister, Mr. Mulroney’s contributions to our political landscape include the free trade agreement and the acid rain treaty, fostering economic growth and environmental cooperation.

A man of great principle, his commitment to the fight against apartheid in South Africa remains one of his greatest achievements. In the face of a global outcry against apartheid, Mulroney advocated for sanctions, aligning Canada with the international community’s stance on human rights and underscoring his principled approach to foreign policy. Through his leadership, he demonstrated the influence a nation such as ours can wield when driven by values.

Brian Mulroney’s legacy extends way beyond politics — it embodies a commitment to service and responsibility. He exemplified these values, navigating the complexities of leadership with unwavering dedication and leaving an indelible mark on our country’s history. His focus on economic growth wasn’t just a policy choice; it reflected a responsibility to ensure prosperity for all Canadians.

In times that demanded foresight, he demonstrated a remarkable sense of responsibility, steering the nation through many challenges. Today, as we bid farewell, let us remember and celebrate the enduring values he brought to public service.

Personally, I had the privilege to meet Brian Mulroney on many occasions. We both used to work in the same office tower in Montreal. We had many insightful discussions about politics and the economy, but what was most impressive was the way he made you feel. He mastered the art of instant intimacy. He would ask about your family and your work. He made you feel important. Every time we would be together, it didn’t take much time before we would be surrounded by passersby who wanted to meet the former prime minister. He was always kind and receptive. At times, he would jokingly say, “Hold on, I’m speaking to Tony now.” They all wanted to shake his hand. Some wanted his autograph.

Honourable senators, as we mourn the passing of a man who so richly contributed to our nation’s economic, social and environmental prosperity, I offer my deepest condolences to his family, his friends and to all Canadians.

Mr. Mulroney, may you rest in peace, and may your legacy remind us all that good people with great intentions can do outstanding things. Rest in peace.

Honourable senators, the early 1990s were really tough. To be honest, at the time, I was not a fan of Prime Minister Mulroney. Canada’s GDP growth had shrunk; our debt-to-GDP ratio had risen. Mortgage rates, having fallen, were still over 11%. Inflation was stuck despite the housing bubble that had burst in 1989. For many, our earnings and savings were deteriorating and our debt was growing.

But I was very wrong about former prime minister Brian Mulroney. He was the rarest form of political leader. He was focused on Canada’s long-term prosperity and place in the world. Rather than focusing just on short-term priorities, Mulroney invested the bulk of his political capital into big policy objectives. When he prioritized them, they were far from being universally popular. Whether working to establish free trade with the U.S., implementing the goods and services tax, or GST, on virtually everything we consumed or expanding free trade to include Mexico, Progressive Conservatives and Canadians needed to be convinced.

While Prime Minister Mulroney ultimately won most big policy battles, he suffered politically. Yet his policy choices remained in place, and we’ve all benefited from a generation of competitive prosperity thanks to the foundation that he built. Remarkably, Brian Mulroney is also seen as Canada’s greenest Prime Minister. Consider the acid rain treaty, the Montreal Protocol and the Rio Earth Summit. Contrary to still so many today, he worried that time was running out to address climate change. Consider his words:

Whether the process proves to be Kyoto or something else, let’s acknowledge the urgency of global warming and then let’s work together to get the US to the table. It isn’t by lecturing the Americans on their record on emissions reduction that we will succeed, especially when our own record is nearly twice as bad as theirs.

As I close, I want to recall Nelson Mandela’s request to first address Canada’s Parliament just months after being released from a generation in prison. That’s how Mr. Mandela recognized Brian Mulroney’s leadership and personal involvement in defeating apartheid. Remarkably, Mr. Mulroney achieved this while still maintaining strong relationships with two of our closest allies despite their very forceful protestations.

Generational accomplishments in prosperity, sustainability and equity — all three continue to be crucial priorities today. Former prime minister Brian Mulroney’s track record proves to us that big things can be accomplished. Let’s strive to follow in his footsteps. Thank you.

Honourable senators, it is an honour to stand in this august chamber to pay tribute to the late prime minister Brian Mulroney. I had the good fortune to work with his government on several important issues, whether it was exerting pressure from the outside or working closely with his ministers and officials in drafting policies and legislation.

I want to focus my tribute on highlighting Mr. Mulroney’s deep and comprehensive understanding of the identities and diversity of Canadians. It started with his pulling together a grand coalition of support, which was new for the Progressive Conservative Party, and resulted in his unprecedented electoral victory — Prairie Conservatives, Quebec nationalists, moderate Conservatives from Ontario and the Atlantic provinces, as well as ethnic minorities in the big cities.

Certainly, regarding Quebec, the Meech Lake Accord demonstrated his commitment to national unity, and even though it ultimately did not succeed, we had an important national debate on who we are.

It’s important to remember that at the heart of the Meech Lake Accord there was the following provision:

2. (1) The Constitution of Canada shall be interpreted in a manner consistent with . . .

b. the recognition that Quebec constitutes within Canada a distinct society.

Beyond this, his government established the Court Challenges Program, which assisted Canadians in accessing their Charter rights in the courts — most notably women; Canadians with disabilities; and ethnic, racial, religious and linguistic minorities.

His government passed the Canadian Multiculturalism Act in 1988. He was the first prime minister to issue an apology for past wrongs by the Government of Canada, as he did for Japanese Canadians. As part of that settlement, he established the Canadian Race Relations Foundation.

On immigration, his government increased annual levels considerably from just 84,000 when he took office in 1984 to 256,000 in 1993 — his last year in office.

In 1990, his government announced that RCMP officers would be able to wear religious and traditional headwear, such as the turban, the kippah or a braid. The same went for the Canadian Armed Forces.

In 1991, he established the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples, or RCAP.

Lastly, Canada — under his personal leadership — has been widely recognized as playing a major role in bringing an end to apartheid in South Africa.

Prime Minister Mulroney understood that government could be a force for good, and he was well in tune with the issues of the 1980s and 1990s that defined modern Canada and advanced equality in human rights. While diversity, equity and inclusion are under attack today from some quarters, it was the Mulroney government that put in place many policies that focused on bringing Canadians together in a respectful way. His was a legacy worth upholding.

Honourable senators, much has been said of the late prime minister Brian Mulroney and his many accomplishments. For my part, I want to share a personal story of how an unexpected moment of curiosity and warmth shaped my early views of Canadian politicians.

In winter 1985, my young family and I were vacationing in Barbados. Midway through our trip, we noticed that the number of broad-shouldered men in suits and dark sunglasses outnumbered those in sandals and swimsuits. Unbeknownst to us at the time, an international summit was taking place on the grounds.

During our last day at the beach, my son, Derek, pointed over my shoulder at a stately man in a pale suit, with imposing bodyguards trailing behind him. In the minutes that followed, I came to learn that this was none other than Canada’s newly elected Progressive Conservative prime minister Brian Mulroney. He was in Barbados for the summit and wanted a moment of fresh air before returning to the sessions.

What I could never have expected from this chance encounter was his warm and welcoming manner. He effortlessly engaged with us and was pleasantly surprised when we answered “Toronto, Canada” to his question of where we were from. Before parting ways, he kindly offered to take a photo with us. This photo — a testament of this significant moment — was so special. Senators, I would share the photo with you if it were not for the prime minister looking dapper in a three-piece suit while my family and I stood next to him exposed by comparison, as I was in my neon swim trunks. That moment, however brief, stayed with me.

There, I came to believe that Canadian politicians upheld their international reputation of warmth and openness. There was a genuine curiosity about me and my family, and, regardless of his monumental professional position, I felt as if we were equal. In that moment, I believe I caught sight of his character. This true statesman, who was politically daring and legislatively aggressive, was also a family man and a respectful compatriot. I like to think that these positive attributes are what Canadians will remember because it will certainly be what I recall of him. He is truly the people’s prime minister.

May you rest in peace.

Honourable senators, we are gathered today to mourn and pay homage to the Right Honourable Brian Mulroney — Canada’s eighteenth prime minister.

I first met Brian Mulroney and his brilliant partner in everything, Mila Mulroney, in 1999. They were at St. Francis Xavier University, or StFX, for Brian’s fortieth homecoming, which coincided with the fortieth anniversary of the Coady International Institute. At a Friday event honouring Brian Mulroney, Jabulani Manombe-Ncube, a powerful Southern African Coady leader, gave an impassioned shout-out to Mr. Mulroney for helping to end apartheid in South Africa.

The following day, while sitting at the homecoming football game with the Mulroneys and StFX President Sean Riley, Brian leaned over and pointed to a hilltop location across from the field, indicating it would be the ideal location for his prime ministerial library. While that library wasn’t built, Mr. Mulroney, with the guidance of his daughter Caroline, created something far more impactful.

Last week, I took my teenage grandson, Niko Brown, to visit the Brian Mulroney Institute of Government at StFX — an innovative centre for the study of government, public policy and leadership. We signed the book of condolences in the recreated prime ministerial office with its original furnishings and view. The Brian Mulroney Institute of Government was bustling with students, professors and people — like Niko and me — who had come to pay their respects. Throughout the building are displays highlighting Brian Mulroney’s political career, including his many leadership contributions on North American free trade, as a U.S. ally, as Canada’s greenest prime minister, as a bridge builder with Quebec — with la Francophonie — as a humanitarian and as a statesman.

Included among his many awards, treasures and photos with world leaders on display is this 2004 letter from Nelson Mandela:

Dear Brian,

On this 10th anniversary of our democracy, one recalls the momentous time of our transition and remembers the people involved both within and outside South Africa.

As Prime Minister of Canada and Chairman of the Commonwealth, you provided strong and principled leadership in the battle against apartheid. This was not a popular position in all quarters, but South Africans today acknowledge the importance of your contribution to our eventual liberation and success.

Colleagues, as Mr. Mulroney said:

Leaders must have vision and they must find the courage to fight for the policies that will give that vision life. Leaders must govern not for easy headlines in ten days but for a better Canada in ten years . . . .

Colleagues, let’s keep Brian Mulroney’s legacy alive by boldly striving for a better Canada and a better world.

Rest in peace, Brian Mulroney. And, colleagues, his institute at St. Francis Xavier University awaits your visit.

Honourable senators, I would like to rise to say a few things on behalf of those of us who began our public service and political career under Brian Mulroney. That goes back more than a year or two.

I want to make three points. First, Brian Mulroney practised the politics of addition, not subtraction. At the 1983 convention, I was supporting the previous leader. I had been the chief of staff to Mr. Clark and, when he left the leadership to contest it, with Erik Nielsen as the interim leader. Going across the booth to vote on the last ballot, he came over to me and said, “Peter, everything is going to be all right.”

The next morning, I went to see him to hand in my letter of resignation. He said, “Put that away.” We began to talk about the addition necessary in politics. I said, “So there won’t be any retribution?” And he said, “I believe in John Kennedy. When John Kennedy got the Democratic nomination in 1960, he was asked, ’Mr. Kennedy, will there be any retribution?’ And he said, ’Only in Massachusetts.’”

So the politics of addition is something I believe we could all return to and learn from. He practised it not just on that day but where, later that night, if you recall, he spoke to Erik Nielsen on the platform, in public, on TV. He said to Erik Nielsen, “I know I wasn’t your first choice, but you were my first choice to be deputy leader.” By that act, he practised the politics of addition and brought a caucus with him that had not supported him, at least in the first ballots.

My point here is that we have much to learn about addition in politics.

Second, he was consequential not only in his tenure but also in his achievements. You achieve in politics, unlike in the private sector, when you use your political capital. You don’t save it. You use it to achieve things. Many of you have spoken about the achievements, so I won’t rehearse that list except to knowledge the breadth of it.

Senator Batters referred to Ukraine. He announced that decision while visiting in Kennebunkport with an American president, who said, “Please, don’t do it. Defer this for two weeks.” He did it right away.

When you talk about South Africa or the work on NAFTA or the Meech Lake Accord or the GST, it was all about using political capital to achieve something. That, too, is a gift and an insight that we could talk a bit more about even today.

The final point is this: All politics is personal. Every place I have been to for the last week, I have encountered people who told me their story of a call from Brian Mulroney or the like. I want to end with my story. When I got a call on a late Friday afternoon and was pulled out of a meeting, I thought my son had broken his leg. But it was, “Hello, Peter. This is Brian.” And he read the order-in-council appointing me as Deputy Minister of Immigration — a position that I did not seek and to which I did not know I was about to be named. All politics was personal.

It was with great sadness that we learned, on February 29, of the passing of a distinguished statesman, a visionary leader and a staunch defender of Canada’s regions.

Brian Mulroney, former prime minister of Canada, has passed away, leaving behind an indelible legacy that significantly shaped our country.

Mr. Mulroney understood the vital importance of ensuring that people from every corner of Canada felt represented, heard and included at the federal level. His collaborative approach and willingness to work in partnership with provincial and territorial governments have strengthened the bonds that unite our diverse country.

It should be noted that he chose to run in two rural ridings, first being elected in the Nova Scotia riding of Central Nova and then in the riding of Manicouagan, our neighbours across the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The riding of Manicougan was, above all, a natural choice for the “little guy from Baie-Comeau.” His leadership, firmly rooted in his fundamental values of fairness and equity, was marked by significant achievements in areas such as economic reform, international relations and the promotion of human rights. Personally, I mostly remember him for — as has been mentioned time and time again — the free trade agreement with the United States, his courageous efforts to put an end to apartheid in South Africa, when he did not hesitate to show leadership and stand apart from our natural allies, the United States and the United Kingdom, and the acid rain agreement he signed with the United States. This was a very important commitment to the environment.

He demonstrated his commitment to Canada’s regions through initiatives designed to stimulate regional economic development, invest in infrastructure and promote the cultural and linguistic diversity that makes our nation so rich.

Bilingual and bicultural, he made a meaningful effort to reach out to the two linguistic communities that founded our country.

Quebecers are unlikely to forget that he was perhaps the first and last prime minister to include Quebec nationalists in the federal cabinet, in a sincere effort to repair the damage done in 1982 and bring Quebec into the Constitution “with honour and enthusiasm.”

In this time of national mourning, we remember with gratitude Brian Mulroney’s exemplary leadership, dedication and contribution to building a more respectful and united Canada.

His legacy will live on in the policies he championed, the bridges he built and the lives he touched. In this time of sadness, our thoughts and prayers are with Brian Mulroney’s family and loved ones. May they find comfort in the precious memories they shared with him and in the lasting legacy he leaves behind. May his spirit of service and dedication continue to inspire future generations to work together to ensure a better future for a more respectful and united Canada throughout all its regions.

Honourable senators, as we mark the passing of the Right Honourable Brian Mulroney, I wish to extend my sincere condolences to his wife, Mila, his children and his friends, and pay tribute to him. Irish Quebecer Brian Mulroney was a masterful speaker and skilful listener, talents we rarely see today. I witnessed that for myself on three occasions. Shortly after taking office in 1984, Prime Minister Mulroney wanted to demonstrate that he intended to govern for all Canadians and build consensus. He brought 300 economic leaders from business associations and unions together for a major gathering in Ottawa. I was a university professor at the time, and I attended with my province’s union delegation as a workshop rapporteur.

In his opening remarks, Brian Mulroney made it very clear that he was there to listen. I also saw him at work abroad in 1989, when he headed up a Canadian delegation of businesspeople in Moscow to support President Gorbachev’s perestroika. I was there with my husband. I was very impressed by the weight of his words and the hopefulness he expressed about the decentralization of the Soviet Empire. Big challenges didn’t scare him.

Then, in the summer of 2015, I was privileged to have a one‑on-one with him. We spent over an hour talking about Senate modernization. I wanted to run my ideas by the former prime minister, who’d had to contend with a Senate that wasn’t very receptive to his free trade and GST proposals. Those were revolutionary ideas at the time.

We discussed the role of the Senate and the institutional conditions needed to ensure it could better play its role as a chamber of sober second thought. At first, he listened to me carefully. Then, before I even had the time to finish my analysis, he interrupted me, saying that we had to put an end to the two‑party system in the Senate, that the temptation for the governments in power to try to control the Senate was too strong, and that this was all too easy to do when senators were appointed and there were only two groups of senators. Brian Mulroney confirmed my analysis and went a step further.

I asked him whether he was encouraging me to try to create a third group of independent senators, like in the House of Lords. He answered yes, and added in a serious voice, “but wait until after the next election.” I followed his advice.

Brian Mulroney was a master of dialogue and negotiation. He knew how to listen to groups and individuals alike, a prerequisite for achieving meaningful change. I thank the Right Honourable Brian Mulroney for his memorable contribution to Canada’s development.

It is with great sadness that I address you today in this august chamber, the Senate of Canada, following the passing of a friend, mentor, builder, visionary and true national and international statesman.

For me, Brian Mulroney embodied friendship, loyalty and principles. He was also a leader who was deeply committed to making his region, his beloved Baie-Comeau, his province and his country a better place to live, work and raise children, a better place to offer a helping hand to the most vulnerable.

Honourable senators, no one can doubt that in the last 40 years, I have followed and worked very closely with Prime Minister Mulroney. The “little guy from Baie-Comeau” captivated Canadians of all stripes and influenced world leaders in terms of the importance of respecting the rights and freedoms of individuals. In this regard, I also think of Nelson Mandela.

I will always cherish three of Prime Minister Mulroney’s principles:

International cooperation is key in addressing global issues such as climate change and poverty.

Leadership means making tough decisions in the best interest of the country, even if they are unpopular.

Affirming Indigenous Canadians had an inherent right of self‑government.

Prime Minister Mulroney cared about one very important thing: The people of Acadia had a special place in his government, as did francophones outside Quebec.

Let’s take a few moments to remember some of the highlights. Under his leadership, New Brunswick became a permanent member of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie. What is more, New Brunswick’s Bill 88 was enshrined in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, recognizing the equality of the two peoples. Prime Minister Mulroney also spearheaded the first amendments to Canada’s Official Languages Act, and he was responsible for appointing the first francophone Acadian to the Supreme Court of Canada, the Honourable Justice Gérard La Forest.

Honourable senators, as for Atlantic Canada, we cannot forget Prime Minister Mulroney’s steadfast and unwavering leadership with his government: in Newfoundland and Labrador, the Hibernia project; in Prince Edward Island, the Confederation Bridge linking P.E.I. to the rest of Canada.

Let us also remember the shipbuilding of 12 frigates in New Brunswick, which has since propelled this great industry for Atlantic Canadians and for Canadians across the country.

As Atlantic senators, let us not forget the creation of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, or ACOA, which has since become a magnanimous tool for creating and enhancing our economic developments.

To his family, Mila and the four children, I offer my sincere condolences.

Honourable senators, I rise today to pay tribute to a great prime minister, a mentor and a friend.

To me, there were three essential elements that defined Brian Mulroney. Obviously, he was a great statesman and leader. He was elected by a huge majority in 1984. Over the following decade, he went on to do big things. We spoke about some of them today: free trade, GST and acid rain treaty agreements. He led on the world stage in recognizing Ukraine, fighting apartheid and being the first Canadian prime minister to recognize the Armenian genocide. He went on to do big things.

Prime Minister Mulroney always said that leadership is not for the timid and the timorous, the weak and the meek; it is for those who are bold and courageous. When you are sitting in the Senate, in the House of Commons or in government, do things that the Canadian public will remember you for. That’s what Brian Mulroney was all about.

A second, important element of Brian Mulroney is that he was a family man. He was very proud of Mila and his children.

I had the opportunity to sit down with Prime Minister Mulroney a year ago. As he normally would, he opened his house to me and we spent some time together. Unlike all the previous meetings — and I guess, looking back, it was a precursor — we didn’t spend as much time reminiscing about campaigns, the times with Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher, fighting the Iron Curtain and all those wonderful stories that he indulged a young Conservative with on a regular basis. Rather, he spent a lot of time talking about Mila, Caroline, Ben, Mark, Nicolas and his 11 grandchildren. He was beaming. Of course, he was always a larger-than-life individual when talking about politics, but he was beaming about his family. He said, “Leo, once the lights are turned off and the cameras are shut down, whatever you are doing in life, the last thing that remains — the most important thing and your most important legacy — is your family.” I took that as a message.

The third element was his kindness. Brian Mulroney was a great human being. For those of us who have been in the arena of politics for a long time, sometimes it’s difficult to combine politics and humanity, and he did that probably better than anybody I know in this business. He was kind to friends and foes alike.

In life and in the political world, there are highs and lows. In my experience, whenever there was a high, there was always a quick note from Brian Mulroney extending his congratulations. More importantly — and we have heard countless such stories from across the country — whenever you had a low or whenever you were crying, with Brian Mulroney, you never cried alone. He always called to offer a word of encouragement, to tell you to keep your chin up and keep fighting the good fight. Decency in politics is less and less evident today, but he epitomized all of that.

I pay tribute to someone who always opened his heart and his office to young Tories. There was a parade of young Conservatives that I would bring through his office when he was Prime Minister — from Vanier College and McGill University. He always found time for them. It’s amazing the notes I received from so many over the last week, remembering those moments when he took the time to share his wisdom — both while he was Prime Minister and after he left office.

On behalf of all Canadians and all those young Tories whom he touched, Prime Minister, may you rest in peace.

On behalf of all senators and all those associated with this place, I extend my deepest condolences to the family and friends of the Right Honourable Brian Mulroney.

Honourable senators, I would ask that you all rise and join me in a minute of silence in his memory.