Brian Mulroney, the last conservative prime minister to taste major victory in Quebec
CTV
Ask Brian Mulroney's chief political rival about the former prime minister's greatest success, and the answer runs through Quebec.
Ask Brian Mulroney's chief political rival about the former prime minister's greatest success, and the answer runs through Quebec.
Jean Chrétien cites Mulroney's 1984 breakthrough, which delivered the Progressive Conservatives the largest majority win in Canadian history.
It also produced 58 of Quebec's 75 seats at the time, an impressive feat for a conservative party.
The former prime minister, 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" in his speech and reflected on his decision to seek a seat in the province, forgoing the Nova Scotia one he secured in a 1983 byelection.
Addressing the crowd in languid French, the fully bilingual Mulroney said he entered Quebec politics "from the front door," choosing to do so in his home riding.
The room erupted in applause.
