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Brian Mulroney was elected Prime Minister of Canada in 1984. Source: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ political-life-former-prime-minister-brian-mulroney-photos-1.5856425 (May be subject to copyright) |
That moment has been flickering in my mind ever since I got a news alert late this afternoon that Brian Mulroney, the 18th prime minister of Canada died.
He was 84.
It was just part of a whole host of memories I have of Mulroney that have ranged from bad to good and everything in between.
Had to be leader
The first time I heard the name Brian Mulroney was in 1983. The Progressive Conservative Party had held a leadership review and gave leader Joe Clark a luke warm 67 per cent approval rating. Many party members had never forgiven Clark for, in their view, costing them government in 1979. The perception was he tried to govern with a majority, when he had a minority. He paid the ultimate political price, because the NDP ganged up with the Liberals to bring down the Conservative government on a vote on non-confidence on the federal budget.
The first time I heard the name Brian Mulroney was in 1983. The Progressive Conservative Party had held a leadership review and gave leader Joe Clark a luke warm 67 per cent approval rating. Many party members had never forgiven Clark for, in their view, costing them government in 1979. The perception was he tried to govern with a majority, when he had a minority. He paid the ultimate political price, because the NDP ganged up with the Liberals to bring down the Conservative government on a vote on non-confidence on the federal budget.
An election was triggered and the Liberals proceeded to win a majority in 1980.
Soon after that, calls already came for Clark’s removal and replacement as leader.
A lot of machinations were engineered behind the scenes by a lawyer from Quebec named Brian Mulroney, who Clark had defeated for the party leadership in 1976.
Clark did not think 67 per cent was enough, so he resigned and called for a full-blown leadership convention.
Now, Mulroney was sniffing blood in the water, and ultimately defeated Clark to become leader of the Progressive Conservative Party.
It was that behaviour, the undermining of Joe Clark that made me very distrustful of Mulroney. It looked to me as if he was an opportunist, a manipulator, and someone more interested in getting a job than doing a job. The whole thing just left a bad taste in my mouth.
A year later, in 1984, Mulroney would lead the Conservatives to the largest majority in Canadian history, winning 211 seats, becoming Canada’s 18th prime minister.
Rough start
The Mulroney government did not have the most auspicious start, getting embroiled in a number of controversies. One of the first was Tunagate, which was likely blown out of proportion by the opposition. Of more concern was when the government decided to de-index old-age pensions to inflation. That triggered a firestorm of protest from seniors, because their pensions would actually be worth less as inflation ate into them. The backlash forced the government to back down from its plans.
The Mulroney government did not have the most auspicious start, getting embroiled in a number of controversies. One of the first was Tunagate, which was likely blown out of proportion by the opposition. Of more concern was when the government decided to de-index old-age pensions to inflation. That triggered a firestorm of protest from seniors, because their pensions would actually be worth less as inflation ate into them. The backlash forced the government to back down from its plans.
Big ideas
Mulroney also had some big ideas that ended up being the hallmark of his government. The Conservatives were elected with a large caucus from Western Canada, due in part to the hatred of the previous Liberal government’s National Energy Program. Mulroney worked quickly to dismantle the National Energy Program, and replace it with a series of measures more friendly to energy producers called the Western Accord.
Mulroney also had some big ideas that ended up being the hallmark of his government. The Conservatives were elected with a large caucus from Western Canada, due in part to the hatred of the previous Liberal government’s National Energy Program. Mulroney worked quickly to dismantle the National Energy Program, and replace it with a series of measures more friendly to energy producers called the Western Accord.
Accommodating Quebec
He seemed to like the idea of “accords”. The Conservatives had a large caucus from Quebec as well so, in 1987, he negotiated what seemed to be impossible – bringing Quebec into the constitutional family through the Meech Lake Accord. Quebec agreed to sign the Canadian Constitution five years after it had been outmaneuvered in the patriation of the constitution. In exchange was constitutional recognition of Quebec as a distinct society; greater provincial control over immigration; the federal spending power was curbed in areas of provincial jurisdiction; all provinces received a constitutional veto over future changes; and provinces had a greater say in the appointment of senators and Supreme Court justices. The challenge was having all 10 provincial legislatures ratify the accord. That ended up being his undoing, as opposition mounted and the accord died before ratification. A second agreement, the Charlottetown Accord, was negotiated in 1991, but that one went down to defeat in a national referendum in 1992.
He seemed to like the idea of “accords”. The Conservatives had a large caucus from Quebec as well so, in 1987, he negotiated what seemed to be impossible – bringing Quebec into the constitutional family through the Meech Lake Accord. Quebec agreed to sign the Canadian Constitution five years after it had been outmaneuvered in the patriation of the constitution. In exchange was constitutional recognition of Quebec as a distinct society; greater provincial control over immigration; the federal spending power was curbed in areas of provincial jurisdiction; all provinces received a constitutional veto over future changes; and provinces had a greater say in the appointment of senators and Supreme Court justices. The challenge was having all 10 provincial legislatures ratify the accord. That ended up being his undoing, as opposition mounted and the accord died before ratification. A second agreement, the Charlottetown Accord, was negotiated in 1991, but that one went down to defeat in a national referendum in 1992.
Free trade
Mulroney also sought a free-trade agreement with the United States, that would lower the wall of tariffs and countervailing duties between the two countries. After the agreement was negotiated, Liberal leader John Turner instructed the Liberal majority in the Senate to not approve the free-trade agreement until the matter was put before the Canadian people in a federal election. The 1988 campaign was the “Free Trade election” and the Conservatives won a second majority. The Free Trade Agreement was passed shortly after.
Mulroney also sought a free-trade agreement with the United States, that would lower the wall of tariffs and countervailing duties between the two countries. After the agreement was negotiated, Liberal leader John Turner instructed the Liberal majority in the Senate to not approve the free-trade agreement until the matter was put before the Canadian people in a federal election. The 1988 campaign was the “Free Trade election” and the Conservatives won a second majority. The Free Trade Agreement was passed shortly after.
Goods and Services Tax
At the end of the decade, the Mulroney government signalled their intention to replace the hidden manufacturers’ tax with a federal sales tax of nine per cent. Protests erupted across the country, especially in Alberta where there was no sales tax of any kind. A federal sales tax would force businesses in Alberta to incur the costs of collecting sales tax, because they had no existing apparatus. In the end, the government reduced the tax to seven per cent and whipped all the Alberta MPs to vote for a tax their constituents disagreed with.
At the end of the decade, the Mulroney government signalled their intention to replace the hidden manufacturers’ tax with a federal sales tax of nine per cent. Protests erupted across the country, especially in Alberta where there was no sales tax of any kind. A federal sales tax would force businesses in Alberta to incur the costs of collecting sales tax, because they had no existing apparatus. In the end, the government reduced the tax to seven per cent and whipped all the Alberta MPs to vote for a tax their constituents disagreed with.
Playing favourites
Another decision that incurred the wrath of Western Canada, and increased Western Alienation, was when Mulroney reversed a decision to award an airplane maintenance contract to a Manitoba company in favour of one from Quebec.
Another decision that incurred the wrath of Western Canada, and increased Western Alienation, was when Mulroney reversed a decision to award an airplane maintenance contract to a Manitoba company in favour of one from Quebec.
Kissing cousins
More than anything, Mulroney valued Canada’s relationship with the United States, and bent over backwards to strengthen it. Part of that was the famous “Shamrock Summit” in 1986 where Mulroney cemented his close professional, and personal, relationship with U.S. President Ronald Reagan. They capitalized on their shared Irish heritage. Mulroney even sang “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling” at the conclusion of the summit, which was televised on national television in Canada.
More than anything, Mulroney valued Canada’s relationship with the United States, and bent over backwards to strengthen it. Part of that was the famous “Shamrock Summit” in 1986 where Mulroney cemented his close professional, and personal, relationship with U.S. President Ronald Reagan. They capitalized on their shared Irish heritage. Mulroney even sang “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling” at the conclusion of the summit, which was televised on national television in Canada.
From what I have seen, that relationship paid dividends for both countries.
The environment
The Mulroney government was the first Canadian government with a comprehensive environmental plan. They also negotiated a treaty with the United States to combat acid rain.
The Mulroney government was the first Canadian government with a comprehensive environmental plan. They also negotiated a treaty with the United States to combat acid rain.
Human rights
Another trailblazing initiative was Mulroney’s steadfast opposition of the racist Apartheid system in South Africa. Mulroney’s government imposed sanctions, gave African National Congress Leader Nelson Mandela a voice, and led the charge in the Commonwealth to compel South Africa to end Apartheid.
Another trailblazing initiative was Mulroney’s steadfast opposition of the racist Apartheid system in South Africa. Mulroney’s government imposed sanctions, gave African National Congress Leader Nelson Mandela a voice, and led the charge in the Commonwealth to compel South Africa to end Apartheid.
Legacy
Mulroney retired in 1992, far behind in the polls. In the 1993 election the Conservatives were reduced to two seats – that’s right two seats. The Reform Party, fueled by Western Alienation, swept every seat in Alberta capitalizing on the dissatisfaction over the imposition of the GST. The Bloc Quebeçois took 52 seats in Quebec, to form the official opposition, fuelled by Quebec nationalism and what Quebecers saw as their rejection by the Rest of Canada.
Mulroney retired in 1992, far behind in the polls. In the 1993 election the Conservatives were reduced to two seats – that’s right two seats. The Reform Party, fueled by Western Alienation, swept every seat in Alberta capitalizing on the dissatisfaction over the imposition of the GST. The Bloc Quebeçois took 52 seats in Quebec, to form the official opposition, fuelled by Quebec nationalism and what Quebecers saw as their rejection by the Rest of Canada.
Mulroney’s machinations had a political price, but he didn’t stick around to pay it.
However, his successors did not repeal any of his big ideas. In fact, they kept the GST, although the next Conservative government reduced it to five per cent, and they kept – and strengthened – free trade. South Africa did dismantle Apartheid and Mandela became the first president elected in the post-Apartheid era. Acid rain seems to be a thing of the past, and environmentalists still point to Mulroney’s green plan.
So, it is safe to say Mulroney’s legacy is severely mixed.
Meeting Mulroney
In 1987, I was in Grade 12 and got a special invitation. Brian Mulroney was coming to speak at the Lethbridge Lodge, and high school student union leaders were being invited to attend. Ed Fetting, an alumnus of our high school, was big in the Conservative Party and he set it up. Our student union was essentially David Perlich as president, and a few others. Consequently, he invited me to come, along with Wendy Sandberg, Bonnie Boisclair, and Brad Mattson.
In 1987, I was in Grade 12 and got a special invitation. Brian Mulroney was coming to speak at the Lethbridge Lodge, and high school student union leaders were being invited to attend. Ed Fetting, an alumnus of our high school, was big in the Conservative Party and he set it up. Our student union was essentially David Perlich as president, and a few others. Consequently, he invited me to come, along with Wendy Sandberg, Bonnie Boisclair, and Brad Mattson.
David picked me up and the others were already with him. When we got to the Lodge, it was already packed and I recognized a few guys. There was Gerald Veldman of Immanuel Christian School, who I had known from basketball and hot shots, and there was David Legg, from LCI in Lethbridge, who I had also met at a party.
It was time for Mulroney to speak. The Free Trade Agreement was the focus and he really gave a passionate, powerful speech. I was directly to his left, and I could see the beads of sweat glistening on his brow.
Once he finished, he immediately got off the stage and started moving through the crowd. We worked our way towards him, and I was right in line to shake the prime minister’s hand.
At that moment, Bonnie darted in front of me, stuck her camera in my chest and asked me to take a picture of her and Wendy with Mulroney. I took the picture, and he turned in a different direction, away from me.
Undeterred, I worked my way around and back in line with Mulroney. This time he was right in front of me.
He stuck out his hand and said, “Hello Rob”. I was wearing a name tag.
“Thank you sir, for letting me take your picture,” I said.
“That’ll be on the front page of the Calgary Herald tomorrow,” he joked.
“No,” I responded. “The National Enquirer.”
Mulroney laughed, but the security behind him sure didn’t. They were all business.
I turned around and Perlich was just looking at me.
“You smart-assed the prime minister,” he said.
Perlich also told me I could have done what David Legg did, and physically turn the prime minister to shake his hand. I wondered where security was then.
Perlich also told me I could have done what David Legg did, and physically turn the prime minister to shake his hand. I wondered where security was then.
Brad said he was about to shake Mulroney’s hand, but security jumped in front of him and took him away. I guess that’s where they were.
Parting thoughts
Recently, I was going through a box of things I had in my mother’s basement. I found the buttons of Brian Mulroney and the House of Commons from that night at the lodge in 1987.
Recently, I was going through a box of things I had in my mother’s basement. I found the buttons of Brian Mulroney and the House of Commons from that night at the lodge in 1987.
That came to mind when I heard Brian Mulroney had died. I recalled how much I disliked him for the way he won the party leadership, then loved him when he won the 1984 election, only to loathe him over the Meech Lake Accord and GST, and love him for battling acid rain and Apartheid.
Yet, at the end of the day, what I will remember most is shaking his hand, and the fact that, at the heart of it, we are both just living, breathing people.
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