Former prime minister Brian Mulroney lies in state in Ottawa

Brian Mulroney's family has accompanied his casket, cloaked in a Canadian flag, to the Parliamentary precinct where the former prime minister will lie in state for the next day and half.

His wife, Mila, daughter Caroline and three sons, Ben, Mark and Nicholas, were given a private moment before a line of dignitaries trickled into the Sir John A. Macdonald Building to pay their respects to a man being remembered as a steadfast giant in Canadian politics.

Governor General Mary Simon, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and others were on hand to offer their condolences.

Former governor general Michaëlle Jean said she is remembering a man who cared deeply about people in his convictions — like standing against racial apartheid in South Africa.

"He would persist when others would just give up," she said.

Former Progressive Conservative prime minister Joe Clark said when he paused before Mulroney's casket, he remembered the changes his party rival and colleague made, including "his ability to take his substantial talents and apply with enormous consistency and discipline to trying to make the country a better place."

Public can visit casket Tuesday

Members of the public who wish to pay tribute to Mulroney can visit his casket in Ottawa starting this afternoon. Public visitation will be open 12:30 until 6 p.m. Tuesday, and 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. Wednesday. A book of condolences will be available for signing.

On Monday, party leaders and MPs paid tribute to Mulroney's legacy with speeches in the House of Commons. Mulroney died on Feb. 29, but the Commons returned from a two-week break on Monday.

Mark Mulroney said listening in on the tributes and funny stories reminded them of what their father loved about politics.

"And for us sitting up in the gallery, hearing everybody speak so positively — probably not what he was used to — but he would have loved it and we did as well," he said with a laugh.

Nicolas Mulroney, said it was "incredibly humbling" to hear glowing tributes from friends and former foes.

"We're truly honoured from people across the country and internationally that have taken the time to reach out to say nice things and words of support. I just want to thank everybody on behalf of the family," he said.

Mulroney's Progressive Conservatives governed Canada from 1984 to 1993. He won two majority governments and steered Canada through several consequential — and controversial — policy decision points, including free trade with the United States, the end of the Cold War and the introduction of the GST.

After lying in state in Ottawa, Mulroney will be moved to Montreal, where he will lie in repose at St. Patrick's Basilica on Saturday. A state funeral will be held Saturday morning at Notre-Dame Basilica, with eulogies from Caroline Mulroney, Jean Charest and Wayne Gretzky.

CBC News special coverage of Mulroney's lying-in-state started at 9 a.m. Tuesday. Chief political correspondent Rosemary Barton is hosting the special with CBC News Network's Power & Politics host David Cochrane.

You can watch the broadcast live on this page, CBC-TV, CBC News Network, CBC Gem, the CBC News App and CBC News Explore.