Ottawa MP Mauril Blanger, who died of ALS, honoured at funeral

Longtime Ottawa MP Mauril Blanger, who died earlier this month after a battle with ALS, was laid to rest Saturday withPrime Minister Justin Trudeau, Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne and former governor general Michalle Jean among the dignitariesin attendance.

• MaurilBlanger, longtimeOttawa-VanierMP, dies of ALS at 61
• MaurilBlangerremembered as an 'advocate, mentor and friend' by Canadian MPs

Politicians of all stripes, includingcurrent and former cabinet ministers, colleagues, local constituents and family members, took part in a multi-denominationalceremony in Ottawa that included an honour guard and eulogiesfrom the Trudeau, JeanandBlanger family members.

Althoughnot a state funeral, the guest list, along withthe size and scope of the proceedings, resembleda state occasion.

Blanger was diagnosed with ALS, orLouGehrig'sdisease, just after his party swepttopower inthe2015 federal election. Hiscondition deterioratedrapidly, although he continued to go to work at his office on Parliament Hill for as long as he could. He died on Aug. 15 at the age of 61.

"It's been quite a roller-coaster for the last year, as Mauril was very dedicated and wanted to work until the very end which was very noble, of course, but given his health, it was a challenge," said a clearly emotional Alexandre Mattard-Michaud, Blanger'sformerchief of staff ahead of the service.

"So I hope the ceremony will bring some sort of closure and that it will bring us all together one last time to celebrate Mauril."

Mauril Blanger honoured in House of Commons

9 years ago

Duration 1:23

In a moving tribute, veteran MP Mauril Blanger - recently diagnosed with ALS - presides over the House of Commons.

The funeralproceedings began at 9:50a.m. ET at Notre-Dame Cathedral, when anhonour guard in ceremonial dress and red serge took its place in front of the cathedralto welcome a procession of dignitariesincluding Wynne, Jean, former prime minister Joe Clark and parliamentarians past and present.

"Mauril was a great friend, a true friend, a great parliamentarian, someone who taught me and all of us so much about the importance of staying connected and in service of the folks who gave us their confidence and their trust to serve them well." said Trudeau,before enteringthe church with his wife,SophieGrgoireTrudeau.

"My heart's broken for [his wife] Catherine, who loved him to an extraordinary degree, and all hisfamily, and all of uswho are lessbecause Mauril is no longer challenging us and encouraging us," he said.

ProudFranco-Ontarian

"I was just canvassing with Mauril about a year ago and he was so adored by the people of his riding, and it was an honour for me to be by his side," said Grgoire Trudeau. "He had some great lessons of integrity and humility and grace to teach every one of us, and I hold him dear to my heart."

In his eulogy, the prime minister said, even though Blanger represented Ottawa-Vanier for 21 years as a Liberal, he refused to take election wins for granted.

"He worked tirelessly to attend the most events and to meet as many people as possible," he said, adding that Blanger was "not trying to be at the forefront," but "chose to serve his community" through hard work.

The prime minister also praised Belanger, a Franco-Ontarian, for his defence of minority language rights and his devotion to hisconstituents.

Although Trudeau self-identifies as a Quebecer, he said Belanger never let him forget that he was born in Ottawa and was, therefore, technically a Franco-Ontarian as well.

"We'd joke about it but, you know, I never corrected him on that point because I know that for Mauril, for so many and yes, even for me, being a Franco-Ontarian was a source of tremendous identity and pride and there are few higher compliments from Mauril than to be included in those ranks."

Gender-neutral anthem sung

In another eulogy, former governor generalJean saidBlanger"cared for justice, he cared for fairness," and was "an attentive listener to those who elected him and to those never voted for him."

Blanger's brother Raymond and his stepson, Barclay Easton,also delivered eulogies.

The service ended on a happiernote as mourners sang a gender-neutral rendition of O Canada.

Blangerhad championed a bill to change the English lyrics to the national anthem from "truepatriot love in all thy sons command" to "in all of us command."

"I think what he did for us is really giving our national anthem that extra dimension that is very inclusive of all of us and for this we say thank you,"Jean said as she left the service at Ottawa's magnificent Notre-Dame Basilica.

"And we sang it with so much heart."