CBC Archives

You must sign in to leave a comment on this clip.

Private life after public loss

Broadcast Date: Feb. 24, 1983

Despite the political setback after his 1976 leadership loss, Brian Mulroney is still seen as a winner in the corporate world. After contemplating numerous offers, Mulroney joins one of the biggest mining operations in Canada, the Iron Ore Company, in 1976. During his years as president of IOC, Mulroney stays out of the political spotlight. That all changes in 1982 with the announcement that IOC will close its mines in Schefferville, Que., reports CBC's Susan Copeland.

With 1,700 jobs on the line, the news should have been the end of Mulroney's potential political career. It's not. Mulroney rises to the challenge and emerges unscathed from the delicate situation. He carefully deals with the media to minimize negative press and offers reasoned explanations on his company's decision to close down the mines. Mulroney's astute handling of Schefferville situation once again propels him onto the public stage.

Private life after public loss

• The Iron Ore Company decided to close down Schefferville because the mines were no longer profitable due to a decline in demand for iron ore.
• Having grown up in a company town, Brian Mulroney was aware of the impact the Schefferville closings would have on the community. He worked hard to get a fair and generous settlement, one of the biggest in Canadian history.


• In a 1977 interview with the CBC's Laurier LaPierre, Mulroney vowed he would never run again for the Tory leadership saying: "I wouldn't touch it with a 10-foot pole."


• In 1982, amidst heavy speculation about Mulroney running for the Tory leadership again, Mulroney held a press conference at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel as seen in this CBC Television report. Sitting next to Clark, Mulroney told the media that "much has been written, perhaps too much has been written, about the differences between Joe and me... but little has been written of our friendship and warm mutual regard that began when we were both 19 years of age and persists to this day."


• Despite receiving 66.9 per cent support at the 1983 Tory convention in Winnipeg, Joe Clark shockingly declared his position as Tory leader open. Clark said he needed a stronger mandate. Clark's decision would be his undoing. He unwittingly paved the way for Mulroney to take the leadership away from him.
• On March 21, 1983, a day after his 44th birthday, Mulroney officially entered the race for the leadership of the federal Progressive Conservative Party.

Private life after public loss

Medium: Television

Program: CBC Television Special

Broadcast Date: Feb. 24, 1983

Guest(s): Brian Mulroney

Reporter: Susan Copeland

Duration: 5:51

Last updated:
Dec. 12, 2007