Mauril Blanger remembered as an 'advocate, mentor and friend' by Canadian MPs

Long-serving MP Mauril Blanger is being remembered on both sides of the aisle as a "formidable fighter," a "great parliamentarian" and a "good man."

MP who spearheaded historic changes to the national anthem dead at 61

CBC News Posted: Aug 16, 2016 11:18 PM EDT | Last Updated: August 17, 2016

Liberal MP Mauril Blanger was given a standing ovation as he made his way to the Speaker's Chair in the House of Commons on March 9 to serve as honorary Speaker in a tribute organized by his fellow MPs following his diagnosis of ALS. Blanger is now being honoured again by his colleagues after his death. (Fred Chartrand/Canadian Press)

Long-serving MP Mauril Blanger is being remembered as a "formidable fighter," a "great parliamentarian" and a "good man" by public servants of all political stripes.

The Liberal member of Parliament for Ottawa-Vanierhas died at age 61 after being diagnosed withALS, or Lou Gehrig's disease.

Prime Minister Justin TrudeauannouncedBlanger's death on Twitter, calling him a "tireless MP and a brave fighter."

Mauril Blanger has passed away. He was a great friend, tireless MP and brave fighter. The entire Parliamentary family mourns his loss.
—@JustinTrudeau

.@Mauril_Belanger was an example of courage, a man of conviction dedicated to public service. We offer our condolences to family + friends.
—@GGDavidJohnston

The prime minister later issued a statement offering condolences on behalf of himself, his wife Sophie Grgoire Trudeauand the entire countrytoBlanger's"family, friends, constituents, and many, many admirers."

"I was incredibly saddened to learn today of the death of my friend and colleague Mauril Blanger," Trudeau said. "Mauril's immense contributions to our country will be honoured and remembered. We are all the poorer for his passing.

"Goodbye my friend."

Many ofBlanger's colleagues from both sides of the aisle have spoken out about the MP'slegacy.

NDP Leader Tom Mulcair, interimConservative Leader Rona Ambrose and Foreign Affairs Minister Stphane Dion have all expressed their condolences and commented onBlanger's long history of public service.

Saddened to learn of the passing of Mauril Blanger. Very well-liked and respected colleague. Our condolences to his loved ones.
—@ThomasMulcair

Mauril was a friend and a great parliamentarian. I will miss him. He was a good man.
—@RonaAmbrose

A formidable fighter gone way too soon. Thank you for everything, @Mauril_Belanger.
—@HonStephaneDion

Many pointed out the significance ofBlanger's last big political battle.On June 15, 2016, his private member's bill to make the national anthem more gender neutral cleared its final hurdle in the House of Commons.

Environment MinisterCatherine McKenna, the MP for Ottawa Centre, called his "dedication" to the historic lyric change "inspiring." Trudeau'sdirector of communications KatePurchase called it "exemplary."

In all of us command! @Mauril_Belanger your dedication to a gender neutral O'Canada is inspiring. Thank you.https://t.co/GPFVMfPng1
—@cathmckenna

.@Mauril_Belanger's battle for the anthem was exemplary. Let that legacy be a lesson for us all.
—@katepurchase

But above all,people rememberedBlanger as a good friend.

So terribly sad. @Mauril_Belanger was an incredible MP, advocate, mentor and friend. https://t.co/pWlGDYS5RL
—@cathmckenna

Devastated to learn of the death of @Mauril_Belanger a good friend and a great Canadian...
—@Baird

A book of condolences has been opened for Blanger in the Centre Block rotunda on Parliament Hill for MPs and the public wishing to express their sympathies.

Earlier Wednesday Trudeaustopped to pen his own goodbye saying that whileBlangerwould be missed, the late Liberal MPwould also inspire those he left behind.