A federal agency quietly rewrote its own guidelines to delay naming Brian Mulroney a “national historic person,” Access To Information records show. The Historic Sites and Monuments Board approved the change four months after the former prime minister’s death, introducing a 25-year waiting period for all prime ministers before formal recognition.According to Blacklock's Reporter, minutes from a June 4, 2024 meeting in Québec City show members praised Mulroney’s two terms in office, citing his role in free trade, creating eight new national parks, enacting the Environmental Protection Act, and challenging apartheid in South Africa. They also noted his introduction of the GST and his failed attempts to amend the Constitution.Mulroney died on February 29, 2024 at age 84. While members agreed he met the criteria for the honour, they argued more time was needed for a balanced view of his legacy. The new rule requires waiting a quarter century to assess “major achievements and failures” and to ensure enough published material exists for a formal submission.Past prime ministers were recognized much sooner. Pierre Trudeau received the designation in 2001, just seven months after his death. Lester Pearson’s took 18 months and John Diefenbaker’s 17 months.
