Former PM Brian Mulroney Passes Away at 84

Prime Minister Brian Mulroney responds to questions in the House of Commons in Ottawa on Nov. 27, 1984. CP Picture Archive/Ron Poling

Former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney has passed away, his family announced on Feb. 29. He was 84.

“On behalf of my mother and our family, it is with great sadness we announce the passing of my father, The Right Honourable Brian Mulroney, Canada’s 18th Prime Minister,” Mr. Mulroney’s daughter Caroline Mulroney said on social media on Feb. 29.

“He died peacefully, surrounded by family,” said Ms. Mulroney, who is Ontario’s minister of francophone affairs.

Mr. Mulroney was Canada’s prime minister from 1984 to 1993 and leader of the Progressive Conservative Party from 1983 to 1993.

Born in Baie-Comeau, Quebec, in 1939, he studied law, worked in labour law, and was a business executive before entering politics.

Mr. Mulroney led his party to one of the largest landslide victories in Canadian history in 1984, and won another majority government in 1988.

During his tenure he focused on building stronger ties with the United States, negotiating the first free-trade agreement with the United States in 1988.

Canada’s economic growth was strong during the first years of his administration. Mr. Mulroney brought in a wave of privatizations and deregulation, as well as major tax reforms.

His government also introduced the goods and services tax, or GST, in 1991.

Mr. Mulroney sought to gain Quebec’s endorsement of the constitutional amendments of 1982 through the Meech Lake Accord and the Charlottetown Accord, which both failed, leading to the rise of the Bloc Québécois.

He resigned as prime minister in 1993 amid declining support due in part to the unpopularity of the GST, the collapse of the constitutional reform talks, and the rising popularity of the Reform Party among Canadian conservatives.  His defence minister, Kim Campbell, replaced him as prime minister and leader of the PCs. She lost the 1993 election to the Liberals.

Mr. Mulroney gave a eulogy for Queen Elizabeth II in Ottawa in September 2022.

In June 2023, his daughter announced that he was recovering after treatment for prostate cancer.

He leaves behind his wife, Mila, and four children.

Former prime minister Brian Mulroney and his wife Mila arrive at Christ Church Cathedral for the National Commemorative Ceremony in honour of Queen Elizabeth, in Ottawa, on Sept. 19, 2022. The Canadian Press/Justin Tang

(Clockwise from top) Former prime ministers Joe Clark, Paul Martin, John Turner, and Brian Mulroney as they mark the 150th anniversary of the first meeting of the first Parliament of Canada, in Ottawa on Nov. 6, 2017. The Canadian Press/Justin Tang

Reactions

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he was “devastated” to learn of Mr. Mulroney’s passing.

“He never stopped working for Canadians, and he always sought to make this country an even better place to call home. I’ll never forget the insights he shared with me over the years – he was generous, tireless, and incredibly passionate,” he wrote on social media.

U.S. Ambassador to Canada David Cohen extended condolences on the passing of the late prime minister on behalf of Americans.

“He leaves behind an immense legacy as a statesman and a great friend to the United States,” Mr. Cohen said.

Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre said in a statement that it was with “great sadness” that the country learned of the loss of “one of our greatest ever statesmen.”

“I will always be thankful for his candid advice and generous mentorship to me personally,” he said. “All Canadians are grateful for his immense sacrifice and the lasting legacy he leaves us all.”

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh also said he was saddened to hear the news.

“He made an important contribution to Canada, including protecting our environment - leading the world in tackling acid rain and banning chemicals that were destroying the ozone layer,” Mr. Singh said on X.

Bloc Québécois Leader also praised the late prime minister on social media.

“Prime Minister Mulroney is perhaps the last to have sincerely attempted to reconcile Quebec and Canada,” Mr. Yves-François Blanchet posted on social media.

Former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney speaks during the Atlantic Economic Forum at St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, N.S., on June 19, 2023. The Canadian Press/Darren Calabrese

Ontario Premier Doug Ford said that he saw Mr. Mulroney as a mentor.

“When faced with tough decisions, I often leaned on him for advice and benefited from his experience and his political instincts,” Mr. Ford said.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said that she was inspired by Mr. Mulroney’s dedication.

“I first met Prime Minister Mulroney when I was the Progressive Conservative U of C campus club president in 1992,” she posted on X. “I was just joining politics and felt inspired by his dedication to public service.”

B.C. Premier David Eby said that Mr. Mulroney “represented our country with pride.”

“Everyone who serves at that level makes great sacrifices to do so, because they want our country to be strong, united and prosperous,” he said.