Skip to main content

Catherine Belanger, wife of MP Mauril Belanger, wipes her eye during her husband's funeral at the Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica, on Saturday, Aug. 27, 2016 in Ottawa.Justin Tang

Mourners at longtime Liberal MP Mauril Bélanger's funeral sang his gender-neutral version of O Canada as the ceremony came to an emotional close on Saturday, with 1,200 people gathered to remember the popular politician known for his dedication to the people he served.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, his wife Sophie Grégoire Trudeau and his mother, Margaret Trudeau, wiped away tears as Mr. Bélanger's casket, draped in a Canadian flag, was led out of Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica in downtown Ottawa.

Mr. Bélanger, who represented the riding of Ottawa-Vanier for 21 years through eight elections, died earlier this month after a 10-month battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), known as Lou Gehrig's disease.

But even as his body degenerated and he was no longer able to speak, Mr. Bélanger twice showed up in Parliament to ensure the passing of his private member's bill in June to change the lyrics of O Canada to "in all of us command" instead of "in all thy sons command."

The bill, which faced opposition from Conservatives, still has to pass in the Senate, but it is likely to become law later this year.

Mr. Bélanger was also known for his defence of minority language rights, his development work in Africa and his role in saving Hôpital Montfort, a French-language hospital in east Ottawa.

Cabinet ministers including Foreign Affairs Minister Stéphane Dion, Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan and Environment Minister Catherine McKenna attended the service, as did MPs from all parties, including Conservative Denis Lebel and New Democrat David Christopherson, along with former prime minister Joe Clark.

Members of the public and Mr. Bélanger's family, including his wife Catherine, filled the packed church as Mr. Trudeau and others spoke of Mr. Bélanger's mark on Canada.

"There are many more Canadians – generations to come – who may not know Mauril Bélanger by name, but who will celebrate his commitment to equality and inclusion every time they stand – in their classrooms, or at a hockey game – and sing our national anthem," Mr. Trudeau said.

Mr. Trudeau paid tribute to his "great friend" as a "brave and brilliant Parliamentarian."

"The House of Commons will not be the same place without you," he said.

Before the funeral, Ms. Grégoire Trudeau recalled canvassing with Mr. Bélanger in the 2015 election.

"He was so adored by the people of his riding, and it was an honour for me to be by his side and he had some great lessons of integrity and humility and grace to teach every one of us," she told reporters.

Former governor general Michaelle Jean remembered Mr. Bélanger as "fully committed towards his fellow citizens."

"We saw him hold on, push the limits, stay the course. Continue to serve his country with a keen sense of the public interest, the common good, and the very values that define us," she said. "This we saw him do to the utmost reach of his strength and of his abilities."

Speaking before the funeral, former interimLiberal leader Bob Rae recalled Mr. Bélanger as a dedicated politician who worked "amazingly hard" for his constituents.

"I think the kind of outpouring that we've seen in the last several months during his illness is a reflection of the respect that everybody had for him, in every party and in all walks of life," he said. "People had a lot of respect for Mauril."

He added that Mr. Bélanger was a candid colleague who "always told you exactly what he thought."

"When I was running for the leadership he said…'You have a long hill to climb, I won't be supporting you. But if you win I will support you.' So it was very direct."

Mr. Bélanger's step-son, Barclay Easton, spoke of his stepfather's love of travel, skills in Trivial Pursuit and adoration for Mr. Easton's mother, Catherine.

"I learned that with every year that passed, he seemed to love my mum more and more," he said, recounting Mr. Bélanger's secret purchase of a painting of a red heart for his mother last Valentine's Day.

"Though he lived the disease in a public way, he always demonstrated grace, dignity and respect for others," Mr. Easton said.

"But for one singular moment in December, when he expressed his disbelief at contracting the disease, he never ever once complained. He never felt sorry for himself."

Graham Hardman, who has lived in Mr. Bélanger's riding for 30 years, said he came to the funeral to pay tribute to the man who always listened to constituents.

"He was one of us," Mr. Hardman said.

He added that it will be tough for anyone to replace Mr. Bélanger as MP in the riding.

"Somebody with all his unique abilities and disposition, it's going to be hard to find, I think," he said. "He's very special."

Follow related authors and topics

Authors and topics you follow will be added to your personal news feed in Following.

Interact with The Globe