Tres bon!
Brian Mulroney, the last conservative prime minister to taste major victory in Quebec
Ask Brian Mulroney's chief political rival about the former prime minister's greatest success, and he will say the answer runs through Quebec.
OTTAWA — Ask Brian Mulroney's chief political rival about the former prime minister's greatest success, and he will say the answer runs through Quebec.
Jean Chrétien cites Mulroney's 1984 breakthrough, when the Progressive Conservatives won the largest majority in Canadian history and captured 58 of Quebec's 75 seats.
Mulroney, who died Thursday at 84, knew he had achieved something remarkable when he took the stage the night of his election victory.
He promised a "new day for Quebec" and reflected on his decision not to run for the Nova Scotia riding he had secured in a 1983 byelection.
Addressing the crowd in languid French, the fully bilingual Mulroney said he entered Quebec politics "from the front door" in his home riding.
The room erupted in applause.
Mulroney was a son of Quebec, Chrétien said — but an anglophone, which put him in the minority.
Born in the smelting town of Baie-Comeau on Quebec's North Shore, he was the first Quebecer to lead the Progressive Conservatives in the 20th century. Quebec's flag was lowered Friday to mark his death.
No conservative leader since then has come close to winning over Quebecers: the modern-day party has never managed to win more than the 12 seats it took in 2015.
Ask Brian Mulroney's chief political rival about the former prime minister's greatest success, and he will say the answer runs through Quebec.
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