Brian Mulroney, PM who signed Nunavut Agreement, dies at age 84
Signature of land claim agreement was among final moments of his near-decade in power
Paul Quassa, right, then president of Tunngavik Federation of Nunavut, and former prime minister Brian Mulroney look at a map in this photo taken in 1993 on the day the Nunavut Agreement was signed. (File photo courtesy of NTI)
Brian Mulroney, the former prime minister who signed the Nunavut Agreement, has died.
His daughter, Caroline, a cabinet member in Ontario’s Progressive Conservative government, announced on X (formerly Twitter) Thursday her father “died peacefully, surrounded by family.”
He was 84.
Mulroney was Canada’s 18th prime minister. Elected to lead two majority governments in 1984 and 1988, his time in office coincided with major global moments including the end of the Cold War.
Mulroney’s signature of the Nunavut Agreement on May 25, 1993 was one of his final acts in office.
Mulroney travelled to Iqaluit to take part in the agreement’s historic signing ceremony.
More than 700 people attended the ceremony at Inuksuk High School and thousands more watched on TV.
“This is a great day in the history of the North, in the history of Canada,” Mulroney is quoted as saying in a Nunatsiaq News story at the time.
Last year, Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. shared an album of photos from the historic ceremony on Facebook to mark the 30th anniversary of the event.
Nearly a month after the signing ceremony, Mulroney stepped down as leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada, ending his tenure as prime minister.
Tributes to Mulroney were posted on social media Thursday night from politicians of all political stripes.
“He never stopped working for Canadians, and he always sought to make this country an even better place to call home,” said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in a statement.
Condolences to Mr. Mulroney family
.💖💖💖💖
Thank you.
Idk why you got down voted for this, No matter your political views you shouldn’t give ill will towards another when death happens.
I wish him a peaceful rest.
Brown paper bag with $225,000.00 (u.s.)
Brian Malroney sat on a wall
Brain Malroney had a great fall
All the kings horses and all the kings men couldn’t put
Brian Malroney back together again.
Free Trade, GST, and brown paper bags with 300K🤑 Palm Beach oil stain
Get your own handle ….
Trudeau wishes he had the grace and class Mr Mulroney carried himself with.
Rest In Peace good sir.
Best PC Prime Minister we ever had, RIP Mr. PM.