September 7, 2007
Former prime minister Brian Mulroney directly and bitterly blames Pierre Trudeau for his greatest political defeat: the failure of the Meech Lake Accord that recognized Quebec as a distinct society.
In a CTV documentary to be broadcast Sunday — and in his soon-to-be-released memoirs — Mulroney recounts how Trudeau used a personal vendetta to turn the public against an Accord that was supported almost entirely by the political class.
“(Trudeau) called me a weakling, he called us cowards, he called the premiers snivelers,” Mulroney told Lloyd Robertson, CTV’s chief news anchor and senior news editor.
The Meech Lake Accord was a set of failed Constitutional amendments hammered out by Mulroney and the 10 premiers, including Quebec’s Robert Bourassa, in 1987. The Accord was designed to persuade Quebec to endorse the Canada Act.
Mulroney had hoped to upstage Trudeau, who had failed to persuade Quebec to sign onto the 1981 Constitution after months of debate with the premiers. And it was clear in the interview that the failure of the Accord still troubles Mulroney deeply after 14 years out of office. (Source: CTV News) Original posting.
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In the days following former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney’s death on February 29, 2024, reflections on his legacy resurface. My editorial cartoon from September 7, 2007, depicting Mulroney debating at the crypt of his predecessor, Pierre Trudeau, becomes emblematic of the complexities within Canadian politics. At the heart of my commentary is an attempt to articulate the old saying, “why bring so-and- so into the debate when so-and-so isn’t around to defend himself.”
March 2, 2024
Mulroney’s posthumously published memoirs shed light on his bitter defeat – the failure of the Meech Lake Accord. He accuses Trudeau of orchestrating a personal vendetta, tarnishing public perception and ultimately leading to the Accord’s demise in 1990.
The hypothetical notion of a face-to-face conversation between the two on constitutional matters remains unexplored in historical records, leaving room for speculation. Mulroney’s memoirs serve as a posthumous attempt to shape his legacy, offering insights into the intricacies of his decisions.
..and for the record, yes, I bought book. Got it signed too! October 12, 2007
Beyond the Meech Lake Accord, Mulroney’s allegations against Trudeau extend to scrutinizing his past, including Trudeau’s decision not to fight in World War II. These accusations mirror past criticisms of Trudeau’s wartime activities.
As Canadians mourn Mulroney’s passing, his memoirs and the echoes of past debates with Trudeau will undoubtedly be scrutinized by historians, leaving a legacy that transcends individual victories and defeats in Canadian political history. (Graeme MacKay, March 2, 2024) The following interview is a companion piece the CTV article above.