Brian Mulroney, one of Canada's most consequential prime ministers, is dead at 84

Brian Mulroney — who, as Canada's 18th prime minister, steered the country through a tumultuous period in national and world affairs — has died. He was 84.

His daughter Caroline Mulroney shared the news Thursday afternoon on social media.

«On behalf of my mother and our family, it is with great sadness we announce the passing of my father, The Right Honourable Brian Mulroney, Canada's 18th Prime Minister. He died peacefully, surrounded by family,» she said on X, formerly Twitter.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau remembered Mulroney as someone who «had the courage to do big things.»

«He was committed to this country — loved it with all his heart — and served it many, many years and many different ways,» Trudeau told reporters on Thursday night. «He was an extraordinary statesman and he will be deeply deeply missed.»

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said Mulroney was one of Canada's «greatest-ever statesmen.» The Opposition leader said he often sought advice from Mulroney, saying that the former prime minister had an «incredibly encyclopedic mind.»

«He loved to have conversation. He was a brilliant conversationalist and a wonderful storyteller,» Poilievre told reporters late Thursday.

Mulroney was one of Canada's most controversial prime ministers. Unafraid to tackle the most challenging issues of his era, Mulroney pursued politics in a way that earned him devoted supporters — and equally passionate critics.

Mulroney was a gifted public speaker and a skilled politician. As prime minister, he brokered a free trade deal with the U.S. and pushed for constitutional reforms to secure Quebec's signature on Canada's supreme law — an effort that ultimately failed.

He introduced a national sales tax to raise funds against ballooning budget