Conservative MP Gord Brown remembered for collegiality, optimism

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As captain of the Conservative hockey team, Ontario MP Gordon Brown relished the chance to play his favourite sport while getting to know his colleagues away from Parliament Hill. He’d often show MPs – whether they were from his party or not – videos of his young son playing the game. It was the kind of personal touch Mr. Brown brought to politics for the past 14 years.

And he was remembered for it on Wednesday as the House of Commons paid tribute to the popular MP who died unexpectedly at the age of 57, leaving MPs of all parties in shock.

Mr. Brown, who was good-natured even in political battle, died in his Parliament Hill office on Wednesday after returning from an early morning game of hockey. A source close to the family says he died of an apparent heart attack.

Mr. Brown’s blue jersey with the number 27 was draped over his chair in the Commons as Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer, fighting back tears, lauded his former colleague for his collegiality and sense of humour.

“This whole House is in mourning,” Mr. Scheer said. “He was an eternal optimist who was always quick with a compliment or a supportive word.”

Mr. Scheer also praised Mr. Brown for his recent work in helping a small group of thalidomide survivors gain compensation from the Liberal government. “He was moved by their suffering, and he was moved to do something about it,” Mr. Scheer said.

First elected to Parliament in 2004, Mr. Brown got his start decades earlier in the youth wing of the party, working on numerous campaigns at both the municipal and provincial level. After the Conservatives lost the 2015 election, he was opposition whip for almost two years, and also served as vice-chair of the Canadian-United States Inter-Parliamentary Group.

Speaking in the House for the Liberals, veteran PEI MP Wayne Easter said his old friend had many accomplishments, from naming a new park in the Thousands Islands to promoting stronger relations with the U.S., even playing on the Republican hockey team.

“Gord was always respectful of everyone and thoughtfully considered the viewpoints of others even though he might not agree. That was the tenor of the man,” he said.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called Mr. Brown a “thoughtful, engaging” man who brought out the best in everyone he worked and interacted with.

“Gord was particularly good at transcending the partisanship here and really emphasizing the service not just to our constituents but to all Canadians,” Mr. Trudeau told reporters outside the Commons.

New Democrat MP Brian Masse said Mr. Brown was particularly effective as vice-chair of the Canada-U.S. group, which plays a key role in bringing U.S. and Canadian politicians together.

“Gord had an ability to be effective for Canada in a statesmanship way that should not be underestimated,” Mr. Masse said.

On Mr. Brown’s desk were fresh flowers and a framed photo of him in his hockey jersey. MPs from all sides stood in standing ovation after each tribute to Mr. Brown. Liberal and NDP MPs lined up to shake hands and hug their Conservative colleagues after the tributes.

Out of respect for Mr. Brown, the Commons adjourned for the day after the statements from party leaders and a moment of silence. The Ontario Legislature also had a moment of silence for Mr. Brown. Flags on government buildings will fly at half-mast until Mr. Brown’s funeral is held.

Mr. Brown leaves his wife, Claudine Courtois, who works for Conservative Senator David Wells, and sons Tristan, 6, and Chance, 17.

Conservative MP Tony Clement, who has known Mr. Brown since 1981, could not hold back his tears as he left the caucus room on Wednesday.

“He was always there for all of us,” Mr. Clement said.

He recalled how Mr. Brown used to show off old photos of himself, Mr. Clement and Peter Van Loan when they were young Conservatives. “We changed a little bit since 1981. He took good delight in people trying to figure out where we were in the photo.”

Mr. Clement said the tragedy is another lesson about the job of politics.

“I’m not trying to be morbid, but it’s a death trap for people sometimes,” he said. “It takes years off your life. I know we do it willingly, but sometimes the price is very high.”

Mr. Brown is the third MP to die of a heart attack in Ottawa in four years. Ontario MP Jim Flaherty died in April, 2014, at the age of 64, and Alberta MP Jim Hillyer died in March, 2016, at the age of 41.

Mr. Brown was recently appointed to the new national security and intelligence committee of parliamentarians, which is responsible for overseeing the country’s national security agencies. The new committee meets in secret and members are sworn into the Privy Council because they have access to classified material.

Mr. Brown was first elected to the House of Commons in 2004 for the Eastern Ontario riding of Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes.