Article content

Former prime minister Brian Mulroney eulogized his friend and cabinet minister John Crosbie at his state funeral Thursday in St. John’s, N.L. The following is an edited transcript of his eulogy.

*** ***

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Read Brian Mulroney’s eulogy of John Crosbie: ‘I had been handed a major gift’ Back to video

If a PM of Canada is lucky — and I mean really lucky — he will wind up with a John Crosbie in his cabinet. One. Not two.

As I sat across the cabinet table from John for nine years and watched him in action, I knew that as prime minister I had been handed a major gift.

A man of high principle and unassailable integrity, John was direct and thoughtful in his approach; brilliant, humorous, fully prepared and determined in advancing major questions of public policy; and loyal and supportive of me and colleagues in cabinet, caucus or the House of Commons.

Years ago, Prime Minister Pearson in describing the challenges and the cut and thrust of politics at the highest level in Canada wrote: “Don’t be downhearted in the thick of battle. It is where all good men would wish to be.” John Crosbie’s close friendship, valued counsel and unswerving support made that come true for me.