Brian Mulroney, former Canadian PM, dies at 84

Brian Mulroney, the former Canadian prime minister, is dead. He was 84.

Mulroney’s death was announced by Caroline, his daughter, on her X account on Thursday.

She said the 18th Canadian prime minister died “peacefully, surrounded by family”.

“On behalf of my mother and our family, it is with great sadness we announce the passing of my father, The Right Honourable Brian Mulroney, Canada’s 18th Prime Minister,” the post reads.

Justin Trudeau, the incumbent prime minister, described Mulroney as “generous, tireless, and incredibly passionate”.

He also praised Mulroney’s role in “building the modern, dynamic, and prosperous country we all know today”.

“Brian Mulroney loved Canada. I’m devastated to learn of his passing. He never stopped working for Canadians, and he always sought to make this country an even better place to call home,” Trudeau wrote.

“I’ll never forget the insights he shared with me over the years – he was generous, tireless, and incredibly passionate. As we mourn his passing and keep his family and friends in our thoughts, let us also acknowledge – and celebrate – Mr. Mulroney’s role in building the modern, dynamic, and prosperous country we all know today.”

Mulroney was the prime minister of Canada from 1984 to 1993. He won an overwhelming election victory with his Progressive Conservative Party in 1984.

One of his achievements was the negotiation of the North American free trade agreement (NAFTA) between Mexico, the US and Canada, which came into force in 1994.

He also strengthened relations with the US and campaigned against apartheid in South Africa.

However, he fell out of favour during his second term in office because of the ongoing recession, high unemployment, the introduction of new taxes and the failure of a constitutional reform.

The reform was aimed at integrating the predominantly French-speaking province of Quebec more closely into the federation with more rights.