The life and legacy of Brian Mulroney

Plus, reinstating visas for Mexican nationals and Ottawa's support for Ukraine [Get This Offer]( [The Star] First Up [By Manuela Vega] By Manuela Vega Good morning. Here’s the latest on Brian Mulroney’s death, reimposed visa requirements for Mexicans and the possibility of Canadian troops in Ukraine. DON’T MISS Canadian Press/Sean Kilpatrick canada [Former prime minister Brian Mulroney has died at 84]( Brian Mulroney’s trade talks with the United States and introduction of a new sales tax forever reshaped the Canadian economy, Stephanie Levitz writes. He became prime minister in 1984 when his Progressive Conservatives won the largest margin of victory for a political party in Canadian history, but by the time he resigned in 1993, the consensus he had built between Western populists and Quebec nationalists had collapsed. The goods and services tax his government introduced also became so wildly unpopular that it nearly annihilated the PC party and set in motion a realignment of conservatism in Canada. [Here’s a closer look at his life and legacy](. - Susan Delacourt’s take: It’s hard to imagine Canada without Brian Mulroney. [His legacy was controversial, to be sure, but it was enduring](. - Go deeper: Mulroney’s death has prompted an outpouring of reflection. [Here’s what friends, admirers and former political rivals had to say](. - In photos: [Take a look back at some of the biggest moments of Mulroney’s life](. Gregory Bull/AP Photo immigration [Ottawa has reimposed a visa requirement for some Mexican visitors]( As crowds form and challenges continue at the Mexico-United States border, a growing number of migrants from Mexico are headed for Canada. For many — especially those with families in the U.S. — this isn’t their final destination, Nicholas Keung reports. In a move meant to reduce the number of arrivals in Canada, the Trudeau government is now restoring visa restrictions for Mexicans, unless they have had a Canadian visa in the past 10 years or currently hold an American visitor visa. [Take a closer look at the data](. - By the numbers: New Mexican claims have swelled over the past three years, from 3,321 in 2021 to 25,236 last year, prompting opposition MPs to call for reimposing visas on travellers from the country. - More: The Trudeau government says it [won’t rule out visa requirements for more countries besides Mexico](. Vlada Liberova//Getty Images star exclusive [Canada is open to sending noncombat troops to Ukraine]( Defence Minister Bill Blair says Canada is open to sending a limited number of military personnel to train troops in Ukraine, as long as the work takes place far from the front lines with Russia, Alex Ballingall reports. Blair told the Star in an interview that he attended a security summit this week in Paris, alongside Canada’s NATO allies and other Ukraine supporters, where the idea was discussed. But Vladimir Putin has warned of “tragic” consequences for countries that deploy troops to support Ukraine, including the risk of global nuclear war. [Here’s what we know](. - Wait, what? French President Emmanuel Macron appeared alone this week when he said the possibility of Western troops being sent to Ukraine could not be ruled out, prompting an outcry from other leaders. [Here’s a look into his comments, his strategy and what’s at stake](. - More: “I do not want to put Canadian Armed Forces personnel anywhere near a combat theatre that could create the perception that we are taking on any component of a combat role,” Blair said. WHAT ELSE He helped shape Stephen Harper’s “tough on crime” agenda. [That’s why he says Doug Ford is wrong to stack the courts](. The Kenneth Law murder case will be unlike any other in Canadian history. [Here’s what sets it apart from other high-profile homicides](. The Trudeau government has unveiled its pharmacare strategy. [Here’s what you need to know](. A government employee has been suspended after [billing millions for ArriveCan work](. This spring, a total solar eclipse will be visible from Niagara Falls. [These visitors are pulling out all the stops to be there](. Doug Ford’s education minister says [closing schools for the eclipse would be unfair to working families](. A man was killed in a brazen daytime drive-by in Etobicoke. [Here’s how witnesses described the scene](. A video shows a fire breaking out at downtown Toronto encampment. [Here’s what we know](. Is Liberty Village full? [Residents are pushing back against a proposed 43-storey tower](. A Toronto street post was an “eyesore.” [So this neighbourhood covered it in LEGO](. What is mewing? [The viral TikTok trend popular among young men has connections with incel culture](. Worried about microplastics? A new study suggests [you might want to start boiling your tap water](. ICYMI Supplied Photo [How a new tool could help predict death sooner and improve care for the dying.]( CLOSE-UP Nick Lachance/The Star AGENDA CAFE AND BAR: For Josh Andrew, the City of Toronto’s new mandate allowing customers to reuse coffee mugs is no big deal. “We’ve been letting people use their own cup since Day 1.” [Baristas and bean enthusiasts, here’s what you need to know](. Thank you for reading. You can reach me and the First Up team at [firstup@thestar.ca](mailto:firstup@thestar.ca?source=newsletter&utm_source=ts_nl&utm_medium=emailutm_email=6C53B63A8E3FAD70AD4EF13004527437&utm_campaign=frst_209766). Andrew will see you back here tomorrow. 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