Brian Mulroney, the former Canadian prime minister who clashed with Thatcher over apartheid, has died aged 84

Brian Mulroney was a fierce critic of apartheid in South Africa. Photo: REUTERS

Former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, who clashed with Margaret Thatcher over apartheid in South Africa, died on Thursday at the age of 84.

“It is with great sadness that we report the passing of my father,” Caroline Mulroney, an Ontario politician, said on X. “He died peacefully, surrounded by his family.”

Brian Mulroney, Canada's last Cold War leader, opposed apartheid in South Africa and helped negotiate the landmark acid rain treaty with Washington.

But he introduced a consumption tax that Canadians still condemn, and he attempts at constitutional reform, largely aimed at bringing restive Quebec into the fold, ended in failure.

Mulroney (right) with wife Mila (left) and the Prince and Princess of Wales in 1991. Photo: GETTY IMAGES

A lawyer by training, Mulroney was an ambitious and charming man, with twinkling blue eyes and a baritone voice. He was fluent in both of Canada's official languages, French and English.

He came out of retirement briefly to advise current Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on a revamped Continental Trade Agreement.

“I will never forget the insights he shared with me over the years—he was generous, tireless and incredibly passionate,” Mr. Trudeau said, praising “Mr. Mulroney’s role in building a modern, vibrant and prosperous the country we all know today.»< /p>

In 1984, Mulroney brought his Progressive Conservatives to power, ending nearly two decades of Liberal rule in Ottawa with the largest majority government in history.

Mulroney with his wife Mila and John Major in Texas in 1997. Photo: GETTY IMAGES

This resounding victory was based on a promise to bring his native Quebec into Canada's constitutional fold.

On the world stage, Mulroney's denunciation of the apartheid regime in South Africa put him at odds with Mrs. Thatcher.< /p>Landmark free trade agreement with the US

But his greatest foreign policy achievement would be his rapprochement with the United States under Ronald Reagan — and the resulting turning point in commercial ties.

«I told him, 'Ronald, I want a comprehensive free trade agreement with you and the United States,'» he recalled in an interview with Radio-Canada.

The two leaders, both of Irish descent, caused a media sensation when they closed the Shamrock Summit with a performance of «When Irish Eyes are Smiling.»

Mulroney in 2009 Photo: REUTERS

Mulroney's second term was marked by a severe recession that forced the government to raise taxes in an attempt to reduce a deficit that had reached record levels in his last year in office.

His proposed constitutional reforms failed: they were considered too favorable to Quebec and rejected.

“It was the worst moment of my life,” he later recalled.

Mulroney also introduced a goods and services tax and oversaw the privatization of one-third of more than 60 public corporations , including Air Canada.

By the time he retired in 1993, his popularity had fallen sharply; his 11 percent support made him the most unpopular prime minister in Canadian history.

Less than three months after his departure, the Tories suffered a humiliating election defeat, causing the party to lose seats in the House of Commons. cut from 151 to two.

Bribery scandal tarnishes his legacy

Mulroney was embroiled in a bribery scandal shortly thereafter.

The commission of inquiry criticized him for taking more than $200,000 in cash from Karlheinz Schreiber, a German-Canadian arms dealer and Airbus broker in Air deals. Canada.

In 2016, he became a Knight of the National Order of the Legion of Honor. Photo: GETTY IMAGES

Money changed hands in brown paper bags at three secret meetings at the hotel. Mulroney ultimately admitted his mistake in accepting the money.

In 2017, Mulroney briefly came out of retirement at Trudeau's direction to advise on a new continental trade agreement.

He worked behind the scenes for several months to convince his casual golf buddy Donald Trump not to abandon negotiations to renew NAFTA.

A new agreement, the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, came into force in July 2020.

Mulroney married his wife Mila in 1973, and the couple had four children.