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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was full of praise for his predecessor Brian Mulroney on Tuesday, a day after Mr. Mulroney said “trash” talk against the Liberal leader will be forgotten in light of historic achievements.
On Tuesday, Mr. Trudeau tweeted here that Mr. Mulroney’s insights are “invaluable – and always welcome,” with a photo of the pair together.
The two prime ministers – Mr. Trudeau a Liberal and Mr. Mulroney, who governed as a Progressive Conservative – were posing ahead of attending the Atlantic Economic Forum, held at the Brian Mulroney Institute of Government at St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, Nova Scotia.
On Monday night, Mr. Mulroney told delegates that history will not be concerned with the trivia and trash or with the rumours and gossip that are heard in Parliament.
Rather, Mr. Mulroney – who was prime minister from 1984 to 1993 – said Trudeau will be remembered for handling the pandemic as well as any other world leader, and for renegotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement with former U.S. president Donald Trump.
Mr. Mulroney, who advised Mr. Trudeau’s cabinet during the trade talks, said Mr. Trudeau showed vision and a steady hand during negotiations and helped preserve the country’s economy.
The former prime minister’s speech didn’t mention Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre, and instead referred to the achievements of the federal Liberals.
There’s video of Mr. Mulroney’s remarks and those of Mr. Trudeau here from CPAC.
During the last federal election in 2021, Mr. Mulroney campaigned for Erin O’Toole, then the leader of the federal Conservatives, appearing with him at a rally in Quebec.
After Mr. Poilievre became leader last year, Mr. Mulroney and his wife also went for dinner with Mr. Poilievre and his wife at the official residence of the opposition leader.
The former prime minister told The Globe and Mail here that during the gathering, he urged Mr. Poilievre to make an appeal to Canada’s political centre if he wants to win government.
Mr. Poilievre’s office did not respond to a request for comment on Mr. Mulroney’s comments about Mr. Trudeau this week.
