April 22, 2014 - 12:28 PM
OTTAWA - The death of Herb Gray has some asking whether the former Liberal deputy prime minister deserves a state funeral.
The Prime Minister's Office will only say it has offered support to Gray's family in making plans for their last opportunity to say goodbye.
Gray, one of Canada's longest-serving parliamentarians, died Monday at the age of 82.
Former prime minister Paul Martin says Gray's contributions to the country were enormous, and that he deserves the best possible sendoff — but that it's up to the government to decide whether a state funeral is appropriate.
One government official says state funerals are typically only offered to the families of sitting and former prime ministers and governors general, as well as sitting cabinet ministers.
Exceptions, such as that for Flaherty and former NDP leader Jack Layton in 2011, are at the discretion of the prime minister — and rare.
News from © The Canadian Press, 2014