Canada’s 18th Prime Minister Brian Mulroney has died at the age of 84. He served as Prime Minister from 1984-1993 and is perhaps best known for brokering Canada’s free trade deal with the U.S.
“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. He died peacefully, surrounded by family,” wrote daughter Caroline Mulroney in a post to X on Thursday.
Mulroney was born in 1939 to a working class Irish-Canadian family who lived in Baie-Comeau, Quebec.
He grew up in the isolated community which was home to both anglophones and francophones, something that would give Mulroney a political edge later in life.
Mulroney first became prime minister in 1984 after beating out then-prime minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau and he was later reelected in 1988.
In both elections Mulroney won with a majority government, marking the first time a Conservative party leader would hold back-to-back majority governments since Sir John A. Macdonald.
Mulroney brokered the free trade agreement between Canada and the U.S. under President Ronald Reagan.
“Our message is clear here and around the world — Canada is open for business again,” said Mulroney during the 1985 “Shamrock Summit” standing alongside Reagan.
Trade between the two nations exploded over the coming years, ending almost 100 years of protectionism laws.
He also introduced GST, a national 7% levy on all goods and services procured in Canada to quell budget deficits. The tax dramatically reduced his popularity among voters.
“It is clearly not popular, but we’re doing it because it’s right for Canada. It must be done,” Mulroney told Canadians in 1990.
Mulroney was against apartheid in South Africa, which was a burgeoning issue on the world stage during his time in office. He took a strong stance in support of Nelson Mandela.
“We regard you as one of our great friends because of the solid support we have received from you and Canada over the years,” Mandela told Mulroney over the phone, according to Memoirs, a book written by Mulroney. “When I was in jail, having friends like you in Canada gave me more joy and support than I can say,” said Mandela.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre sent his condolences to the Mulroney family in a press release on Thursday, saying,“It is with great sadness that Canadians learn of the loss of one of our greatest ever statesmen, the Right Honourable Brian Mulroney. The love and prayers of all Canadians go to his beloved children, Caroline, Ben, Mark and Nicolas, and the love of his life, his best friend and wife, Mila.”
“He unleashed free enterprise, crushed inflation, restored fiscal sanity and concluded one of the greatest free trade agreements the world has ever seen, which remains largely in place today. These changes gave thousands of working-class families the same opportunities he had, that is, the chance to work hard, buy a home, and build their dreams,” wrote Poilievre.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith also took to social media to express her condolences and gratitude for the late political leader.
“I am profoundly saddened to learn of the passing of Canada’s 18th Prime Minister, the Right Honourable Brian Mulroney,” wrote Smith.
“I first met Prime Minister Mulroney when I was the Progressive Conservative U of C campus club president in 1992. I was just joining politics and felt inspired by his dedication to public service. He will be remembered by all Canadians for his service, and his commitment to our country.’”
According to CBC News, while reflecting on his time in office in 2010, Mulroney said, “Quite frankly, it’s interesting to me to sit back many years later, having had to endure the abuse and recriminations and the pounding, and to see that it’s turned out well for Canada. That’s all I wanted.”
