A hearse carrying the casket of the late prime minister Brian Mulroney pauses as it is driven past the Centennial Flame and Centre Block on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Wednesday, March 20, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
MONTREAL – Brian Mulroney’s casket and the family of the former prime minister have arrived at St. Patrick’s Basilica in Montreal.
The casket will lie at the church today and Friday for visitation by dignitaries and the public ahead of Saturday’s state funeral.
Montreal Archbishop Christian Lépine led a procession into the church, with Royal Canadian Mounted Police officers in dress uniform carrying the casket draped in a Canadian flag and Mulroney’s family walking behind.
Quebecers will get their chance to pay their respects to Brian Mulroney in his home province over the next two days.
Mulroney, who was prime minister for nine years between 1984 and 1993, died Feb. 29 at age 84.
His casket left Ottawa on Wednesday after two days of lying in state that included visits from Canada’s prime minister, other political dignitaries and members of the public.
A state funeral is set for Saturday at the Notre-Dame Basilica, with eulogies from Mulroney’s daughter Caroline, former Quebec premier Jean Charest and hockey great Wayne Gretzky.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 21, 2024.
