Everyday Canadians, dignitaries pay tribute at former prime minister Brian Mulroney's lying in state

Former colleagues, dignitaries and everyday Canadians lined up Tuesday to say goodbye to former prime minister Brian Mulroney as his official lying-in-state got underway near Parliament Hill.

Ali Brown was one of hundreds of people who felt drawn to pay respects  — even though she didn't much care for Canada's 18th prime minister when he was in office.

"But with this closure, I've come to appreciate him. It shows you that, no matter how you may feel at the time, your mind can be changed " she said.

"So today he's a hero. I wasn't too sure I felt that way at the time. So Mr. Mulroney, rest in peace."

Mulroney's flag-draped casket was carried into the main hall of the Sir John A. Macdonald Building on Tuesday morning as his family looked on.

Mulroney's wife Mila, his daughter Caroline and three sons Ben, Mark and Nicholas were given a private moment before a line of cabinet ministers, diplomats and other VIPs made their way into the building to pay their respects to a man being remembered as a giant in Canadian politics.

Mulroney, who was prime minister for nine years between 1984 and 1993, died on Feb. 29 in a Florida hospital. The Progressive Conservative prime minister won two majority governments and steered Canada through several consequential — and controversial — policy decision points, including free trade with the United States, the end of the Cold War and the introduction of the GST.

Gov. Gen. Mary Simon, her husband Whit Fraser and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau were the first to pay their respects to the family. They then paused before the casket before signing one of three books of condolences — books that soon filled with hundreds of messages.

At one point a pen had to be swapped out after it ran out of ink mid-morning, and new books were brought in.

Green Party Leader Elizabeth May pays her respects at the casket of former prime minister Brian Mulroney as he lies in state at the Sir John A. Macdonald building opposite Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Tuesday, March 19, 2024. (Sean Kilpatrick/Canadian Press)

Former governor general Michaëlle Jean said she is remembering a man who cared deeply about people and held strong convictions — such as his opposition to racial apartheid in South Africa.

"He would persist when others would just give up," she said.

Pausing before the casket, former Progressive Conservative prime minister Joe Clark paid tribute to Mulroney's "ability to take his substantial talents and apply with enormous consistency and discipline to trying to make the country a better place."

Green Party Leader Elizabeth May choked back tears as she paused in front of Mulroney's casket.

May, who worked as a policy adviser in Mulroney's government, regaled the house on Monday with a speech praising Mulroney's environmental stewardship and his care for others.

"Let us continue to try to meet that example of a good-hearted, kind-spirited, generous and brilliant Canadian," she told her fellow MPs.

The doors were later opened to the public Tuesday afternoon.

While waiting in line, Robin Averill, a musician originally from Ireland, proudly showed off a photo of himself and Mulroney singing into a microphone in tuxedos. Averill said Mulroney, the proud son of Irish-Canadian Catholic parents, had him sing and play at caucus parties and dances.

Former prime minister Brian Mulroney and Irish singer Robin Averill share the mic during a performance. (Submitted by Robin Averill )

"He was great. He used to love to get up on stage with me and sing. Of course we all know what his favourite song was," Averill said before breaking out the chorus of When Irish Eyes Are Smiling.  

Mulroney famously sang the song with U.S. President Ronald Reagan at the 1985 "Shamrock Summit" in Quebec City, a meeting that's largely celebrated as milestone in the Canada-U.S. relationship.

"I remember him as a great prime minister. To me, he was one of the best we ever had in Canada," said Averill. "I was proud to know him."

Members of the Mulroney family follow as an honour guard carries the casket of former prime minister Brian Mulroney into the Sir John A. Macdonald building opposite Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Tuesday, March 19, 2024. (Adrian Wyld/Canadian Press)

In the past, lying-in-state for Canadian prime ministers has happened in Centre Block, but the main building is undergoing extensive renovations.

On Monday, party leaders and MPs paid tribute to Mulroney's legacy with speeches in the House of Commons. Mulroney died on Feb. 29; the Commons returned from a two-week break on Monday.

Mark Mulroney said listening in on the tributes and stories reminded his family of what their father loved most about politics.

"And for us sitting up in the gallery, hearing everybody speak so positively — probably not what he was used to — but he would have loved it, and we did as well," he said with a laugh.

Nicolas Mulroney said it was "incredibly humbling" to hear glowing tributes from friends and former foes.

"We're truly honoured from people across the country and internationally that have taken the time to reach out to say nice things and words of support. I just want to thank everybody on behalf of the family," he said.

Public visitation will re-open Wednesday from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. Wednesday

After lying in state in Ottawa, Mulroney will be moved to Montreal, where he will lie in repose at St. Patrick's Basilica.

A state funeral will be held Saturday morning at Notre-Dame Basilica, with eulogies from his daughter Caroline Mulroney, longtime friend and former Quebec premier Jean Charest and hockey icon Wayne Gretzky.