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I was proud and privileged to serve Prime Minister Brian Mulroney during the nine plus years of his government, first as a senior official in the depart of external affairs (1984-1987), then as his chief of staff (1987-1989), and finally as ambassador in Washington (1989-1993). He was a consequential leader who led Canada on a remarkable journey of achievement — domestically, on relations with the U.S., and more broadly on global affairs — the likes of which we may not see again.
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Brian Mulroney had an extraordinary talent for getting along with people and earning respect from all walks of life. He thoroughly relished the people part of politics, maintained stalwart support from his caucus during ups and downs in the polls and forged an unprecedented and productive relationship with two U.S. presidents — Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush — leading to the Free Trade Agreement (FTA), North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), and the acid rain accord, as well as direct and trusted engagement in the first Gulf War, the unravelling of the Soviet Union and the unification of Germany. He gave eulogies to both presidents, and for Nancy Reagan — unusual for a non-American.
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When the need arose, and charm and diplomatic tact did not work, he could be blunter. His unflinching support of Nelson Mandela caused some friction with Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher, both of whom regarded Mandela as a communist. “How can you or anyone else know that?”, asked Mulroney, according to his memoirs. “He’s been in prison for more than twenty years and nobody knows that, for the simple reason no one has talked to him — including you.”
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He did not take kindly to European grumbling during German unification talks that Canada had too much to say and was “renting a seat in Europe.” He told Bush in 1990: “We are not renting a seat in Europe. We paid for it. If people want to know how Canada paid for its seat in Europe, they should check out the cemeteries in Belgium, France, and the Netherlands.”
Mulroney was the last Canadian Prime Minister to meet what is now NATO’s two per cent of GDP defense spending requirement.
He had a bold vision for Canada and took decisions intended to serve our interests over 10 years, not to gain tomorrow’s headline. He touched the lives of many Canadians beyond the political level because he genuinely cared about their well-being.
Mulroney often talked about the two of us as being “two Bay boys.” He was from Baie Comeau, a pulp and paper town in northern Quebec. I was from what is now Thunder Bay, a pulp and paper and grain terminal in northwestern Ontario. He drove a truck to help with university costs. I drove a taxi for the same reason, so our initial paths were definitely similar.
Mulroney was a strong family man, who had resolute support from his wife, Mila, and basked proudly in the successes of their four children and an ever-expanding brood of grandchildren. Politics can be rough on families, but the Mulroneys never flinched. When at age 16, daughter Caroline campaigned for my son Alex in the Ontario election of 1990, they were met at a door in the Glebe by a chardonnay sipping academic who launched into a bitter indictment of the then prime minister. “Sir, you are talking about my father which is fair, but this is a provincial not a federal election we are here about,” Caroline said. Shocked, the resident sheepishly retreated behind a closed door.
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Mulroney vigorously challenged the apprehensions many non-Quebec Canadians had about closer relations with the U.S. The dividends he gained for Canada — economically and environmentally — proved that there is little to be achieved by shutting ourselves off in the North American attic. We should nurture carefully and turn to our advantage what is, in fact, our greatest strength — proximity to the U.S.
For me personally, it was an enriching experience opening my eyes to broader pursuits than a government career, inspiring me to follow my 30 years of government service with 25 years in the private sector. For that, I owe Brian Mulroney my heartfelt appreciation.
Rest in peace my close friend and colleague. You have served your country well and with honour. Your outstanding legacy is everlasting.
Derek H. Burney was Brian Mulroney’s chief staff from 1987-1989, and served as Ambassador to the United States of America from 1989-1993.
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