The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) announced on Friday that a new elementary school set to open in August will be named after former Conservative prime minister Brian Mulroney. This marks the first public school in Canada to be named in his honor.
Education Minister Paul Calandra confirmed that the board's newest elementary school will be called Brian Mulroney Elementary School, recognizing Canada's 18th prime minister and his enduring contributions to the country and the world.
The school, located in Ottawa, will welcome nearly 700 students upon opening. Calandra praised Mulroney as one of the most consequential leaders in modern Canadian history, highlighting his efforts to strengthen Canada's economy, champion the French language and francophone communities, lead on environmental issues, and earn international respect for his stance on human rights and the fight against apartheid.
“It is fitting that a new generation of students will learn in a school that bears his name, and I hope they will be inspired by his commitment to public service and nation-building,” Calandra said.
Caroline Mulroney, the former prime minister's daughter and recently retired Ontario Treasury Board president and MPP for York-Simcoe, expressed her family's deep honor at the naming. In a social media post, she thanked the community and said, “We are grateful that future generations of students will carry this legacy as they learn and grow within its walls.”
Caroline Mulroney also noted that her father's death two years ago and her children leaving home influenced her decision to step down from provincial politics, marking the start of a new chapter in her life.
Brian Mulroney served as prime minister from September 17, 1984, to June 25, 1993, and passed away on February 29, 2024. The new school aims to inspire students with his legacy of public service and leadership.
