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.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
4th Indian national arrested, charged with murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Homicide investigators in B.C. say murder charges have been laid against a fourth Indian national in connection to the killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a Surrey gurdwara last year.
Feds 'committed to doing more,' but minister offers no timeline for Canadian Disability Benefit boost
Amid significant criticism from advocates, Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities Minister Kamal Khera is defending her government's long-promised, newly unveiled Canada Disability Benefit, calling the funds an "initial step," but without laying out a timeline for future expansion of the program.
RCMP boss expresses desire for new law to deal with threats against politicians
RCMP commissioner Mike Duheme says he wants the government to look at drafting a new law that would make it easier for police to pursue charges against people who threaten elected officials.
'My family doctor just fired me': Ontario patients frustrated with de-rostering
Dozens of Ontarians are expressing frustration in the province’s health-care system after their family doctors either dropped them as patients or threatened to after they sought urgent care elsewhere.
Balancing act: Canadian North’s first Inuk CEO juggles Arctic airline challenges
With carriers' flight volumes above the 60th parallel hovering below pre-pandemic levels, Canadian North’s first Inuk CEO now bears the task of balancing those financial and logistical challenges with the needs of communities for which she feels a deep affinity.
Couple randomly attacked, 1 stabbed, by group of teens in Toronto, police say
A man has been transported to hospital after police say he was stabbed in a random attack carried out by a group of teens in Toronto on Friday night.
In progressive Argentina, the 2SLGBTQ+ community says President Milei has turned back the clock
Past left-leaning presidents who enacted some of the most socially liberal policies on the continent have given way to a self-proclaimed "anarcho-capitalist" whose fiery appraisals of social justice and efforts to dismantle diversity and equity programs have made him into a global far-right icon.
Millions of Canadians have been exposed to potentially toxic chemicals, and they're not going anywhere
For decades, North Bay, Ontario's water supply has harboured chemicals associated with liver and developmental issues, cancer and complications with pregnancy. It's far from the only city with that problem.
'Renaissance of cartooning': Lifelong comic lover sets up Newfoundland dedicated publisher
A Newfoundlander's lifelong love of cartooning has helped forge Heavy Sweater Comics, the province's newest dedicated comic book publisher.