Montrealers get to pay respects to PM Brian Mulroney during lying-in-repose ceremony
Posted March 21, 2024 9:00 am.
Last Updated March 21, 2024 6:57 pm.
Former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney’s casket arrived in Montreal on Thursday and dignitaries and the public are invited to pay their last respects.
The lying-in repose is taking place downtown at the Saint Patrick’s Basilica in downtown until Friday.
Around 10 a.m., pallbearers from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police carried the body into the basilica through the main doors and it was followed by the Mulroney family.
Jean Charest was the premier of Quebec from 2003 to 2012.
He wants Canadians to reflect about the very important role that Mulroney has played.
“This is a very sad moment, but it’s also beautiful in some ways as the country pauses to think and reflect upon the heritage of Mulroney, what he’s given to the country and his leadership and what we as a country have accomplished.”
Brian Mulroney’s parents were of Irish descent and according to Canadian Heritage, the Mulroney family has many personal ties to St. Patrick’s Basilica, which “served Montreal’s Irish community at a time when it was rapidly growing, many people who left Ireland as a result of the Great Famine and other hardships.”
Peter O’Brien is a ward of the Saint Patrick’s Basilica.
He said that he was always there and showed up when he was asked.
“It’s hard to describe Mr. Mulroney with respect to any particular part of Irish Montreal, other than to say that he was always there, even in the things that are not particularly well known to the public. If you asked him for help, he would help you.”
“He was always there,” says Peter O’Brien, warden of the Saint-Patrick’s Basilica, about former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, as he is lying-in-repose in the church Thursday and Friday.
— CityNews Montreal (@CityNewsMTL) March 21, 2024
READ: https://t.co/Ty8UyPr9x0 pic.twitter.com/TGVuOGYrGt
During the funeral, the casket will be guarded by “a watch detachment,” the Canadian Armed Forces, police officers from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and members of the Parliamentary Protective Service.
“As I’ve said to some people, dealing with him, you always felt that you had a best friend,” said O’Brien.
From 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., visits are reserved for dignitaries and people invited by the family of the former prime minister.
#WATCH: Former Canadian PM Brian Mulroney’s casket arrived in Montreal on Thursday and dignitaries and the public are invited to pay their respects. The lying-in repose is taking place downtown at the Saint Patrick’s Basilica until Friday.
READ: https://t.co/Ty8UyPr9x0 pic.twitter.com/00S0gb0SW1
— CityNews Montreal (@CityNewsMTL) March 21, 2024
The public visitation will start at 12 p.m. until 6 p.m. Thursday and on Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Former Quebec Premier Lucien Bouchard was a long time friend of Mulroney.
Bouchard reflected on their feud and explained how they reconciled their friendship before his passing.
“It was difficult for a long time, but somewhere we knew that every opening would happen. It did happen,” he said. “I can’t help think if we would go back, maybe it would be a bit better to manage but we were young.”
Citizens who want to pay their respects to Mulroney will have to undergo a security check.
Several people showed up to pay their respects to the former Canadian prime minister.
Florin Ghinoiu is a Montreal resident who moved to Canada in 1989.
He said Mulroney was the type of guy who would stand out in the crowd.
“He was a good speaker,” said Ghinoiu. “I came to Canada in 1989 and he was the prime minister at the time. I wasn’t much into politics, but it’s only now that that I came to appreciate what Mulroney did for this country. This is why I came to pay my respects.”
Canadian Heritage asks the public not to bring bags or objects to speed up the screening process.
Additionally, a book of condolences will be made available to dignitaries and the public.
Former Bloc Québécois leader Gilles Duceppe attended the repose and said that Mulroney did a lot for Canadians.
“I didn’t agree with all he did, but we’re in democracy. So, I think we have to respect our opponents because we’re not enemies.”
Mulroney’s state funeral will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Notre-Dame Basilica in Montreal.
Eulogies will be delivered by his daughter Caroline, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Pierre Karl Péladeau, Jean Charest, Wayne Gretzky and former US Secretary of State James Baker.
Mulroney governed Canada for 10 years, between 1984 and 199 and died at the age of 84 on Feb. 29.
-With files from by La Presse Canadienne.
