Brian Mulroney Cause Of Death, Obituary: What Happened to Former Canada PM? How Did He Die? Funeral
Brian Mulroney, one of Canada’s most influential and divisive prime ministers, passed away on Thursday at the age of 84. His daughter Caroline Mulroney announced the news on social media, saying he died peacefully surrounded by family. He had undergone a heart procedure in August and was treated for prostate cancer earlier last year.
Mulroney served as Canada’s 18th prime minister from 1984 to 1993, leading the Progressive Conservative party to two consecutive majority governments. He is widely regarded as one of the most consequential prime ministers in Canadian history, as he reshaped the country’s economy, foreign policy, and constitutional landscape.
His Achievements
Brian Mulroney was a bold and ambitious leader who tackled some of the most challenging issues of his era. He was not afraid to take risks and pursue his vision for Canada, even if it meant facing criticism and opposition. Some of his major achievements include:
- Free Trade: Mulroney negotiated and implemented the Canada-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in 1989, which eliminated tariffs and barriers between the two countries and created the world’s largest trading bloc. He later expanded the deal to include Mexico, forming the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in 1994. He argued that free trade would boost Canada’s economy, competitiveness, and sovereignty, while his opponents feared that it would erode Canada’s social programs, environmental standards, and cultural identity.
- Tax Reform: Brian Mulroney introduced the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in 1991, a national sales tax that replaced the hidden Manufacturer’s Sales Tax (MST). He claimed that the GST would reduce the federal deficit, lower income taxes, and make Canada more attractive for investment. However, the GST was widely unpopular among the public and the provinces, who saw it as an unfair and regressive tax that increased the cost of living.
- Constitutional Reform: He attempted to secure Quebec’s signature on the Constitution Act of 1982, which the province had refused to sign under his predecessor Pierre Trudeau. He initiated two rounds of constitutional negotiations, resulting in the Meech Lake Accord in 1987 and the Charlottetown Accord in 1992. Both accords aimed to recognize Quebec as a distinct society and grant it more powers, as well as address the concerns of other regions and groups, such as the Aboriginal peoples. However, both accords failed to win the approval of all the provinces and the public, and ultimately collapsed. Mulroney’s constitutional efforts deepened the divisions and tensions within the country, and sparked the rise of separatism and regionalism.
- Environmental Protection: He was a champion of environmental issues, both at home and abroad. He signed the Montreal Protocol in 1987, an international treaty that phased out the production and use of ozone-depleting substances. He also established several national parks and marine conservation areas, such as the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve and the Gwaii Haanas National Marine Conservation Area. He created the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act and the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, which set the standards and regulations for environmental assessment and protection in Canada.
- International Leadership: Mulroney played a prominent role in global affairs, especially in the areas of human rights, democracy, and security. He was a vocal critic of apartheid in South Africa, and imposed economic and diplomatic sanctions against the regime. He also supported the release of Nelson Mandela from prison, and invited him to visit Canada in 1990. He was a strong ally of the United States and the United Kingdom, and supported their military interventions in the Persian Gulf War and the Iraq War. He also fostered closer ties with Europe, Asia, and Latin America, and promoted Canada’s membership in the Francophonie, the Commonwealth, and the Organization of American States.
Cause Of Death
| Full name | Martin Brian Mulroney |
| Date of birth | March 20, 1939 |
| Date of death | February 29, 2024 |
| Place of birth | Baie-Comeau, Quebec, Canada |
| Place of death | Palm Beach, Florida, U.S. |
| Ethnicity | Irish-Canadian and French-Canadian |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
| Spouse | Mila Pivnički |
| Children | Caroline, Ben, Mark, and Nicolas |
| Education | St. Francis Xavier University (BA), Laval University (LLB) |
| Profession | Lawyer, businessman, politician |
| Political party | Progressive Conservative (before 2003), Conservative (after 2003) |
| Prime minister of Canada | September 17, 1984 – June 25, 1993 |
| Leader of the Opposition | August 29, 1983 – September 17, 1984 |
| Member of Parliament | Central Nova (1983-1984), Manicouagan (1984-1988), Charlevoix (1988-1993) |
| Awards and honours | Order of Canada, Order of Quebec, Companion of Honour, etc. |
| Cause Of Death | Illness |
His Controversies and Scandals
Brian Mulroney‘s term as prime minister was also marked by controversies and scandals, which eroded his popularity and credibility. Some of the most notable ones include:
- Airbus Affair: He was accused of accepting kickbacks from the German company Airbus for a $1.8 billion contract to supply Air Canada with 34 planes in 1988. The allegations were based on a letter from the Swiss authorities to the RCMP, which claimed that Brian Mulroney and his associate Karlheinz Schreiber received millions of dollars in commissions from Airbus. He denied any wrongdoing and sued the government and the RCMP for libel, winning a $2.1 million settlement and an apology in 1997. However, the scandal resurfaced in 2007, when Schreiber alleged that he had paid Mulroney $300,000 in cash after he left office, for lobbying services that were never performed. Mulroney admitted receiving the money, but said it was for legitimate consulting work. A public inquiry was launched in 2008, which concluded that Mulroney’s conduct was “inappropriate” and “created an appearance of impropriety”.
- GST Rebellion: Brian Mulroney faced a revolt within his own party over the introduction of the GST, which led to the resignation of six senators and one MP in 1990. The rebels, known as the “GST Six”, opposed the tax on principle and demanded a referendum on the issue. They also accused Mulroney of using undemocratic tactics to pass the legislation, such as appointing eight extra senators and invoking closure. The GST rebellion weakened his authority and damaged his reputation, as well as the party’s unity and morale.
- Sponsorship Scandal: He was implicated in a scandal involving the misuse of public funds for political purposes, which came to light in 2004. The scandal involved a federal program that sponsored cultural and sporting events in Quebec, as part of the government’s efforts to counter the separatist movement. An audit revealed that millions of dollars were diverted to Liberal-friendly advertising firms and individuals, with little or no work done. Some of the money was also used to fund the Liberal party’s election campaigns. He was accused of being the mastermind behind the scheme, as he had appointed some of the key players involved, such as Jean Pelletier, his former chief of staff, who became the head of Via Rail, one of the sponsors. Brian Mulroney denied any involvement or knowledge of the scandal, and said he was the victim of a “smear campaign”.
His Legacy and Impact
Brian Mulroney’s legacy and impact on Canada are mixed and debated. On one hand, he is praised for his vision and courage, as he transformed Canada’s economy, society, and role in the world. He is credited with opening up Canada to free trade, modernizing its tax system, advancing its environmental agenda, and enhancing its international stature. He is also recognized for his efforts to accommodate Quebec’s aspirations and aspirations and promote national unity, despite their failure.
On the other hand, he is criticized for his arrogance and unpopularity, as he alienated many Canadians with his policies, style, and scandals. He is blamed for increasing the federal deficit and debt, undermining Canada’s social programs and culture, and creating divisions and distrust among the provinces and the people.
He is also held responsible for the decline and demise of the Progressive Conservative party, which was reduced to two seats in the 1993 election, and eventually merged with the Canadian Alliance to form the Conservative Party of Canada.
His legacy and impact are also reflected in his public image and recognition. He is widely regarded as one of the most disliked and distrusted prime ministers in Canadian history, as he consistently ranks low in opinion polls and surveys. He is also the subject of many jokes, parodies, and satires, such as the CBC comedy show This Hour Has 22 Minutes, which features a puppet of Mulroney as a recurring character.
However, he is also the recipient of many awards and honors, such as the Order of Canada, the Order of Quebec, the Companion of Honour, and the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour. He is also the founder and patron of the Brian Mulroney Institute of Government at St. Francis Xavier University, which aims to educate and inspire future leaders.
Mulroney’s Funeral and Tributes
Brian Mulroney’s funeral will be held on Saturday at the Notre-Dame Basilica in Montreal, where he married his wife Mila in 1973. The funeral will be attended by his family, friends, colleagues, and dignitaries, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, former prime ministers Jean Chrétien, Paul Martin, Stephen Harper, and Joe Clark, former U.S. presidents George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush, former U.K. prime minister Margaret Thatcher, former French president Nicolas Sarkozy, and former South African president Nelson Mandela. The funeral will be broadcast live on CBC and CTV, and streamed online on their websites.
