Tributes to the Right Honourable Prime Minister Brian Mulroney
THE SPEAKER « » : The honourable Leader of the New Democratic Party.
CLAUDIA CHENDER « » : Speaker, I rise today to join the tributes to the Right Honourable Prime Minister Brian Mulroney.
All Canadians in particular were proud of the role that we played to end apartheid in South Africa. There can be no doubt that Prime Minister Brian Mulroney was a key player in that fight, and in the release of Nelson Mandela, who confirmed as much himself.
He was the first Prime Minister to recognize and act on the negative effects that humans were having on our planet. The Air Quality Agreement with the United States was a landmark. This agreement fought acid rain, protected lakes and forests, and was a blueprint for future agreements.
The Prime Minister held a special place in his heart for Nova Scotia, as we've heard, from his days at StFX to his time as the member for Central Nova, and as Prime Minister, where he created ACOA as well as the Brian Mulroney Institute of Government. I've had the privilege, as many of us have, of participating in their vital programming.
With that, we in the New Democratic Party want to thank him for his service and send our condolences to Mrs. Mulroney, to his children Ben, Caroline, Mark, and Nicolas, and to all his friends and loved ones. (Applause)
THE SPEAKER « » : I would kindly ask that we stand for a moment of silence, please.
[A moment of silence was observed.]