Special Edition: The end of an era

Within the span of over three years, Canada has lost three statesmen that had come to define an era of big ideas and epic clashes, but with a sustained civility that is seldom seen in politics today.

Throughout the countless tributes and recollections shared upon the recent passing of the Right Honourable Brian Mulroney, one of the recurring and indelible impressions beyond the major policy accomplishments was that of a man with tremendous generosity, reaching out and connecting with others in a way that underscored our shared humanity, through his boundless charm, good humour, and unwavering respect.

Evidence of this generous spirit was seen long after he retired from politics in 1993, as Mulroney continued to be relied upon as a steady source of counsel, whether it was the more visible, advisory role within the renegotiations of NAFTA, or in private to any and all politicians, journalists, and citizens alike, imparting his wisdom and support, irrespective of their partisan stripe or associations.

Underlying this graciousness was the value he placed on the importance of service and making a difference, a quality also embodied within his two main contemporaries during most of his time in federal politics, former Liberal Prime Minister John Turner and former NDP leader Ed Broadbent. All of whom we have now sadly lost.

Collectively, all three leaders were products of an era where a call to service also meant recognizing this common trait amongst your political adversaries, which allowed for dialogue with an undercurrent of civility and mutual respect, and in some cases even agreement if it meant it was good for the country.

It is within this context, where Mulroney’s ability to bridge the divide was legendary. Though it might be tempting to point to his sweeping election victory in 1984, a cross-regional landslide (211 out of 282 seats) that still stands as the largest in Canadian history, this ability was truly most striking in the widespread support he attained for the Meech Lake Constitutional Accord in 1987 - unanimity from opposition parties (Turner and Broadbent included) and all provincial premiers - unseen in any previous constitutional wrangling.

The initial broad-based consensus he achieved for his push towards constitutional reform was nothing short of extraordinary, a coalition-building exercise in a spirit similar to that of Sir John A. MacDonald’s drive towards Confederation. It is only fitting on that score that Mulroney should also share the distinction with MacDonald as the only other Conservative Prime Minister to win two consecutive majority governments, speaking to the consequential nature of Mulroney's place in Canadian political history.

It was also a credit to both Turner and Broadbent, whereby they put partisanship aside to agree to the general thrust of what Mulroney was attempting to do with the Meech Lake Accord, especially in the case of Turner having to contend with his previous party leader, Pierre Elliott Trudeau, who had been expressing his vehement opposition to the attempted passage of Meech.

While Trudeau may have won the day with Meech’s eventual demise for a variety of reasons; one of which was Canadians no longer accepting of an executive-style federalism where constitutional rights of citizens were being negotiated by a handful of individuals in a boardroom, this does not diminish the remarkable feat set out, and in some ways achieved, by Mulroney with his colossal endeavour.

Even in the more well-documented victories for Mulroney, such as the Acid Rain Treaty with the United States, or his role in ending apartheid in South Africa, much of this work was achieved by bringing those of disparate points of view together and convincing reluctant foreign governments to join him in a greater cause. However, it must also take reason and open-mindedness to adopt another’s position from one’s initial stance, and doing so within the political arena is also a display of great courage.

Mulroney himself had exhibited an openness to changing his thinking, when he eventually accomplished the Free Trade Agreement with the United States. Long before Mulroney, Sir Wilfrid Laurier twice campaigned on reciprocity with the U.S. - once in 1896 in his first national campaign as Liberal leader against MacDonald; and second, during his last campaign in 1911 - Laurier lost both times.

The enduring belief in Canada thereafter was that invoking the idea of free trade with the U.S. had essentially died with Laurier, given its demonstrable unpopularity. And Mulroney was among those who initially dismissed the very idea.

Following the findings from the Macdonald Commission shortly after Mulroney took office, he was able to embrace what he once dismissed because he believed in his heart free trade was necessary for Canada, and defended it with vigour and skill, while utilizing those relationship-building qualities as stated from the outset to get the Americans onboard with his initiative.

Although in this instance, Turner and Broadbent were not onside with Mulroney's gamble on free trade, and they opposed it with equal measures of forcefulness and skill. But all the while, they never lost sight of the understanding that disagreeing can also mean respecting one’s integrity and appreciating their similar desire to improve the lives of all Canadians.

Over the past few days, it was revealed that upon Broadbent’s passing, Mulroney, who had been facing his own health challenges, insisted on paying homage to the NDP leader through media outlets via telephone from the hospital. Despite coming from diametrically opposed political perspectives, this gesture alone demonstrates the respect and admiration these leaders felt for each other.

In one of his last public events before his passing, Broadbent was asked about the loss of civility that was seemingly more apparent during his time in politics, and while he noted that the degree of civility in politics had varied throughout different periods, he also partly attributed it to this reason:

“It takes leaders to make that happen, of course…it requires political leadership, particularly when it's under stress, which it is right now, for all the leaders to be civil.”

The rampant demonization of others we see nowadays simply because they espouse a different political persuasion has become commonplace within our current political leadership. Yet, with the passing of Turner, Broadbent, and now Mulroney, one can only hope upon reflection of their immense legacies and the example they had set during their time as political opponents, it can serve as a roadmap by which all present and future leaders of this country can strive to emulate. Canada sorely needs their example again.