Today's letters: Peter Pocklington remembers Brian Mulroney's generosity

Tuesday, March 5: A former leadership rival, entrepreneur and NHL owner pays tribute to the Mulroneys. You can write to us too, at [email protected]

Published Mar 05, 2024 • Last updated 2 hours ago • 3 minute read

Photo by Greg Perry

Brian Mulroney was a great Canadian

Re: Former prime minister Brian Mulroney has died at 84, Feb. 29.

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Brian Mulroney and I were friends for 41 years, after we came to know each other as competitors in the 1983 Progressive Conservative leadership race. Over the years, I sought his advice and guidance many times, and throughout he was a constant reminder for me of how to live one’s life with grace, compassion and purpose.

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One of our most memorable times together happened in Ottawa. It was a fundraiser for cystic fibrosis organized by Mila Mulroney in 1986. The Mulroneys and Pocklingtons were having dinner together and Mila asked for ideas to raise money. I suggested a hockey game. So, with the help of Montreal Canadiens’ owner Ronald Corey, we held a game at the Ottawa Civic Centre between my Oilers and Corey’s Canadiens. The event raised $1.5 million. Brian and I took enormous pride in that.

Brian was a great Canadian. My wife Eva joins me in sending our love and condolences to the Mulroney family.

Peter Pocklington, Palm Desert, California

Thanks for these hockey memories

Re: A centennial celebration of the Pembroke Peach – Frank Nighbor, Feb. 22.

I thank Jamie Bramburger for bringing back happy memories of my young hockey days in New Edinburgh.

My father spoke of Frank Nighbor often. Dad learned his hockey on the Rideau River near the Minto Bridges with Hall of Famers Aurel Joliat and Frank Boucher, all born in the “Burghs” in 1901. They both went on to hockey careers but Dad, fleet of skate, was too small. However, he continued to play for the “Burghs” and hereby hangs the tale.

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Dad needed newer skates. He asked around and I think he said that King Clancy told him to check with Frank Nighbor as Frank was not happy halfway through the season with his own skates. Dad did just that, tried them on, and bought them, a perfect fit.

The Nighbor skates sat in our basement after Dad had stopped playing until I asked if I could use them. Yes. I was in
Grade 7-8 at York Street school and also playing for the “Burgh Bantams.” I wore them for two years and grew out of them. Again, they sat in our basement.

After a visit to the Hockey Hall of Fame, I thought, the Nighbor skates should be in it, so I took them to the Hall and who the curator at the time (I think it was Bobby Davidson) said they were “pretty beat up.” I answered that they served in the NHL, the Ottawa Burgh Seniors, the Burgh Bantams and deserved a spot. He smiled and accepted them.

The last I saw of them was in a photo the Hall of Fame used for the cover of its annual advertising campaign. I’d like to thank Frank Nighbor for wonderful memories.

Bob Short, Ottawa

Modern rail can learn from the CPR

Re: Trillium Line LRT opening delayed again, City of Ottawa subcommittee is told, Feb. 29.

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When I read there was another delay in the Trillium Line’s opening date, I thought: “I bet that the CPR built the transcontinental railway across Canada in less time.”
Sure enough, the famous CPR western expansion of its rail line began in 1881 at Bonfield, Ont. and ended at Craigellachie, B.C. in 1885 — six years ahead of schedule. The construction of the Trillium Line from Bayview Station to Limebank Road, which began in May 2020, was projected to be in service as of August 2022. However, the opening date has now been extended for a fourth time. Maybe it will open during the summer or, if worse comes to worse, September 2024; two full years behind schedule.
Even though 19th-century working conditions were terrible, studying the old way of doing things may not be a bad idea. It could save of a lot of time, money and certainly frustration.

Brian Caines, Ottawa