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Former prime minister Brian Mulroney recovering after prostate cancer treatment

OTTAWA — Former prime minister Brian Mulroney is recovering after undergoing treatment in Montreal for prostate cancer.
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Former prime minister Brian Mulroney speaks during an interview in Montreal, Tuesday, October 25, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz

OTTAWA — Former prime minister Brian Mulroney is recovering after undergoing treatment in Montreal for prostate cancer.

His daughter Caroline Mulroney said Wednesday in a written statement that the family expects him to be "back to normal in the coming weeks."

Her office confirmed that he underwent treatment for prostate cancer.

The Toronto Star, citing an interview with one of his sons, Mark, said that the treatment began last fall.

Mulroney, 84, was prime minister from 1984 to 1993, as leader of the Progressive Conservatives.

While in office he negotiated the first free trade agreement with the U.S., which later became NAFTA.

"My family is comforted by the outpouring of support from across our country," said Caroline Mulroney, who is currently Ontario's minister of transportation and francophone affairs.

"I have always known my dad to be a fighter."

The former prime minister gave a eulogy for Queen Elizabeth II in Ottawa in September, recalling his personal relationship with the monarch and her work to oppose the apartheid regime in South Africa while he was in office. 

He and his wife, Mila, have four children: Caroline, Mark, Ben and Nicholas.

This report from The Canadian Press was first published April 5, 2023.

The Canadian Press