Party leaders to honour Brian Mulroney's legacy in the House of Commons today

Leaders of Canada's federal political parties will rise in the House of Commons today to give speeches commemorating the life and legacy of former prime minister Brian Mulroney.

Mulroney, who died on Feb. 29 at the age of 84, will lie in state on Tuesday and Wednesday in Ottawa near Parliament Hill. Ceremonies will then shift to Montreal ahead of a Saturday state funeral.

Wayne Gretzky will deliver the eulogy at the event.

Mulroney's Progressive Conservatives governed Canada from 1984 to 1993. He won two majority governments and steered Canada through several consequential policy decision points, including free trade with the United States, the end of the Cold War and the introduction of the GST.

Condolences for the former prime minister poured in after his family announced his death late last month.

«He was committed to this country — loved it with all his heart — and served it many, many years and many different ways,» Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre called Mulroney one of Canada's «greatest-ever statesmen.»

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh called Mulroney a «true progressive conservative» and praised his advocacy on the environment, particularly on acid rain and protecting the ozone layer.