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
$500K-worth of elvers seized at Toronto airport
Fishery and border service officers seized more than 100 kilograms of unauthorized elvers at the Toronto Pearson International Airport on Wednesday.
To plant or not to plant? Gardening tips for May long weekend
May long weekend is finally here, and with the extra time off you may be getting the itch to head out to your garden and plant. However, the old debate whether you should plant now, or wait, is still ever-present.
Scottie Scheffler, from the course to jail and back: What to know about his PGA Championship arrest
Two-time Masters champion Scottie Scheffler was arrested after police say he dragged an officer while trying to get around the scene of a fatal accident Friday ahead of the second round of the PGA Championship.
Fort McMurray evacuees welcomed home Saturday as crews make progress on wildfire
Residents of Fort of McMurray who were displaced over wildfire concerns were told to return home Saturday.
Serial sexual offender linked to unsolved 1970s homicides of four Calgary girls, women
An investigation into unsolved historical homicides from the 1970s has linked the deaths of two girls and two young women in and around Calgary to a now-deceased serial offender.
Woman with liver failure rejected for a transplant after medical review highlights alcohol use
For nearly three months, Amanda Huska has been in an Ontario hospital, part of it on life support, because of severe liver failure. Her history of alcohol use is getting in the way of her only potential treatment: a liver transplant.
Member of Israel's War Cabinet says he'll quit June 8 unless there's new war plan
Benny Gantz, a centrist member of Israel’s three-member War Cabinet, threatened on Saturday to resign from the government if it doesn't adopt a new plan in three weeks' time for the war in Gaza.
B.C. man 'attacked suddenly' by adult grizzly near Alberta boundary: RCMP
A B.C. man is recovering from multiple injuries after he was "attacked suddenly" by an adult grizzly bear near Elkford Thursday afternoon.
Israel-Hamas war protesters temporarily take over building on University of Chicago campus
A group protesting the war in Gaza and demanding that the University of Chicago divest from companies doing business with Israel temporarily took over a building on the school's campus.