[conservative in nyc]

Which is it? Will Prime Minister Mulroney be a speaker, a pallbearer or both? The news (like this article) has been inconsistent all day.

By the way, why is current Prime Minister Martin avoiding going to the funeral? He's in the middle of what is turning out to be a tough election campaign. Is anti-Americanism in Canada so severe that he thinks the risk of going to President Reagan's funeral is greater than any potential PR benefit? I know the Governor General is head of state, but it seems like a stupid move to me.

[JPJones]

By the way, why is current Prime Minister Martin avoiding going to the funeral? He's in the middle of what is turning out to be a tough election campaign. Is anti-Americanism in Canada so severe that he thinks the risk of going to President Reagan's funeral is greater than any potential PR benefit?

Yes.

[texasflower]

The governor general will represent Canada. ( Governor General Adrienne Clarkson)

The former Prime Minister will speak.

The honorary pall bearers were listed, but I didn't see his name there.

[badfreeper]

"I know the Governor General is head of state..."

Nope. The GG is HRH Queen Elizabeth II's representative, the Queen being official head of state. Having said that, Her Majesty has more class, grace, wit, and sagacity in her dainty pinky finger than does the Governor General and her husband (John Ralston Saul) put together and multiplied a thousand times.

[SB00]

Is anti-Americanism in Canada so severe that he thinks the risk of going to President Reagan's funeral is greater than any potential PR benefit?

Martin himself is not anti-American but many in his party are as are many liberal Canadians. He's trying to protect his left wing base.