Simcoe County politicians honour former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney

After the death of former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, tributes are pouring in across the country, including from many leaders in Simcoe County.

Barrie-Innisfil MP John Brassard shared a photo of himself with the late Prime Minister on social media.

"You know he was such a consequential figure in Canadian history. Like everyone else, I'm shocked and saddened by this," Brassard said to CTV News. "I know that he'd been not feeling well over the last couple of years and had been dealing with some health scares, but like the rest of the nation, I'm shocked by the news of the passing of former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney."

Mulroney's death was shared on social media by his daughter, York-Simcoe MPP Caroline Mulroney.

Brassard says it was actually the late prime minister who sparked his interest in joining the Conservative movement when he was just 18 years old. He says he had incomparable communication ability, largely crediting that with his electoral success.

"There are numerous stories…about Prime Minister Mulroney reaching out, it didn't matter if you were Liberal, NDP, Conservative; I've heard stories from my colleagues where maybe things weren't going for them particularly well at a certain moment they'd get a phone call from Brian Mulroney just trying to cheer them up," said Brassard.

"I think you know this country could use a little bit more of what Brian Mulroney did, and that is to reach across lines, you know, to unite our country for a common cause and purpose," Brassard added.

Barrie Mayor Alex Nuttall also took to social media on Thursday evening, sharing a photo of himself with Mulroney.

"Canadians have lost a giant today," read part of Nuttall's post.

Condolences to the Mulroney family also came from Barrie-Springwater-Oro Medonte MP Doug Shipley.