MONTREAL – From wealthy business people to political dignitaries to media moguls, people from all walks of life are in Montreal to pay their respects to one of Canada’s most influential business tycoons.
Paul Desmarais Sr. died “peacefully” at the age of 86 at his country estate northeast of Quebec City, surrounded by his family, including his wife and four children.
READ MORE: Canadian business giant Desmarais dead at 86
A memorial service is being held for the billionaire at Montreal’s Notre Dame Basilica, where 13 years ago on October 3, a state funeral was held for the former prime minister, Pierre Trudeau.
Those attending include Desmarais’ close friend, the former French president Nicolas Sarkozy, as well as Prime Minister Stephen Harper and former prime ministers Jean Chretien, Paul Martin and Brian Mulroney.
Jean Chretien remembers his friend Paul Desmarais Sr.
James Addison Baker III, who served as the Chief of Staff in former president Ronald Reagan’s first administration and in the final year of the administration of former president George H. W. Bush, was also there.
Also seen entering the Basilica Notre Dame was the former Bombardier president Laurent Beaudoin.
Conrad Black, the ex-media mogul, was spotted as well.
Video: Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy speech at Desmarais memorial (French Only)
Also attending were the founder of the Bloc Quebecois, Lucien Bouchard and former Bloc leader Gilles Duceppe, as well as the current federal Liberal leader Justin Trudeau and his predecessor Bob Rae.
Quebec Premier Pauline Marois and former Quebec premiers Jean Charest, Daniel Johnson and Bernard Landry were also on hand.
Desmarais’ daughter Sophie is expected to speak at the service, as well as Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
Live coverage of the memorial service is set to start at 2:30 p.m. EST.
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