Mauril Blanger, longtime Ottawa-Vanier MP, dies of ALS at 61
Champion of fairness until the end, respected politician faced terminal illness with dignity, determination
Mauril Blanger, the long-serving Liberal member of Parliament for Ottawa-Vanier, has died at age 61. Blanger was diagnosed with ALS, or Lou Gehrig's disease, following the 2015 federal election, and his condition had deteriorated rapidly.
At the moment whenBlanger should have been celebrating his eighth electoral triumphas the member of Parliamentfor Ottawa-Vanier, he had struggled to find his voiceto make a victory speech.
And yeteven in his final days, Blanger summoned his remaining strength eight months later to attend a vote in the House of Commons wherehis colleagues backed his private member's bill to make the lyrics of the national anthem more representative of all Canadians.
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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announcedBlanger's death Tuesday night.
"Mauril's immense contributions to our country will be honoured and remembered. We are all the poorer for his passing.Goodbye my friend."
After more than two decades serving his constituents, it wasamyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a cruel and incurable disease that ultimatelysilencedthe longtime Ottawa politician.
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Liberal MP Mauril Blanger diagnosed with incurable Lou Gehrig's disease
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He leaves behind a legacy of community serviceandwas an inspirationalexample of determined grit and dignity.
While campaigning during the2015 federal election,Blanger would occasionallylosehis voiceand experience difficulty articulating campaign messages. At first, heand his staff blamed exhaustion and the stress of running a longer and more challenging campaign than he'd grown accustomed to.
It soon became clear there was something far more seriously wrong.
Considered front-runner for Speaker's post
When Trudeau'sLiberals gainedpower ina landslide victory, the long-servingmember fromOttawa-Vanierwas considered a front-runner for the role of Speaker of the House, apositionhe had long dreamed of holding.
But Blangerwithdrew from consideration in Novemberafter being diagnosed with ALS.The untreatable ailment gradually shuts down the body's muscles,robbing its victims of the ability to speak, control movement and, eventually, breathe.
The disease took over quickly. Yet even afterBlangerlost his ability to speakand could move through the halls of Parliament only with the help of a walker,he insisted on showing up to work each day.
O Canada bill passed by MPs
On June 15, 2016,Belanger's private member's bill to make the national anthem more gender neutral cleared its final hurdle in the House of Commons, passing by a vote of 225-74.
Bill C-210changed the second line of the anthem from "in all thy sons command" to "in all of us command." Blangerwas in the House for the vote.
In all of us command! @Mauril_Belanger your dedication to a gender neutral O'Canada is inspiring. Thank you.https://t.co/GPFVMfPng1
—@cathmckennaAfter the vote nearly all MPs in the House stood and sang the national anthem.
The anthem change hadbeen a cause ofBlanger's for years, but took on far greater urgency after his ALS diagnosis. The bill has not yet passed the Senate.
Championed francophonerights
"My priorities have not changed. Even after being diagnosed in late November, I remain committed to serving the constituents inOttawa-Vanierand representing them in the House of Commons as long as possible," saidBlangerthrough thevoice generating computer he used to communicate with staff and MPs.
The longtime MPmade the comments in March, around the time he was reading to sitas honorary Speaker of the House, where colleagues paid tribute to his years of service.
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In a demonstration of respect and friendship,MPs voted unanimouslyto giveBlangerhis momentin thechairashonorarySpeaker. His colleagues, theprime ministerandBlanger'swife, Catherine, joined in anemotional tribute to a man whose service to thepublic endedfar too soon.
Born in the logging town ofMattawa, Ont., on June 15, 1955,Blangergraduated from the University of Ottawa in 1977, where he was president of the student federation.
Hewas elected the Liberal member of Parliament forOttawa-Vanieron Feb 13, 1995, and heldthe riding for the next 21 years, decisivelywinning eight consecutiveelections.From the beginning, he was an outspoken advocate for the rights of Franco-Ontarians.
In 1997, when the provincial Progressive Conservative government underMike Harris decided to shut downOttawa's MontfortHospital,Blangerwageda successful battle to keep the French-language health-care facility open.
Emotional tribute
Blanger'scolleagues rememberhimas a humble, self-effacingpoliticianwho worked tirelessly for the people in his riding. He was known as a fair-minded lawmaker whoreachedacross party lines to achieve common goals.
As a member of Parliamentheheld a number of positions, including minister responsible for official languages. He served as parliamentary secretary to the minister of heritage, as well as deputy leader of the government and chief government whip.
One of Blanger'sotherenduring legacies stems fromhis commitment to help Africans overcomeeconomicand socialchallenges, which led himtoco-found the Canada-Africa ParliamentaryAssociation. It linkedCanadian parliamentarianswith their African counterpartsto forgeties that would foster both democracy and communitydevelopment.
Blanger is survived by his wife, Catherine.
With files from The Canadian Press
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