Liberal MP Mauril A. Bélanger dead at 61
Posted August 16, 2016 7:03 pm.
Last Updated August 16, 2016 7:08 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
OTTAWA (NEWS 1130) – Ottawa-Vanier Member of Parliament Mauril A. Bélanger, who successfully pushed for a change to Canada’s national anthem, has died.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted the news Tuesday evening, calling him “a great friend, tireless MP and brave fighter.”
Making the anthem more gender-neutral was a Bélanger cause for years, but it took on far greater urgency in recent months after it was confirmed he had amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), an incurable, fatal, neurodegenerative condition.
His private member’s bill was finally passed in June of this year.
Bélanger was first elected to Parliament in February 1995.
Under Prime Minister Paul Martin in 2007 and 2008, he served as Minister Responsible for Official Languages, as well as Heritage Minister.
