Mourners Gather NOW for Gail Shea’s Funeral in Tignish, P.E.I.

URGENT UPDATE: A notable gathering is taking place NOW in Tignish, Prince Edward Island, as mourners, including former Prime Minister Stephen Harper and current Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, attend the funeral of former MP Gail Shea, who passed away on August 21 at the age of 66.

The funeral is being held at St. Simon and St. Jude Catholic Church, with the Mass of Christian Burial scheduled to start at 2:30 p.m. AT. The ceremony is being livestreamed for those unable to attend in person.

Shea, who served as a federal fisheries minister and was a trailblazer for women in politics, is remembered by a wide circle of friends and family across Canada. The funeral program lists 29 honorary pallbearers, including prominent political figures such as Lisa Raitt, Leona Aglukkaq, and Peter MacKay.

Attendees include former P.E.I. Premier Pat Binns and current provincial Transportation Minister Ernie Hudson, alongside many provincial politicians like Progressive Conservative Premier Rob Lantz.

“Gail was a true pioneer and her contributions to our country will never be forgotten,” Poilievre stated during a news conference in Charlottetown earlier today.

Shea is survived by her five children: Sally, Kelly, Sandy, Holly, and Shawn. Her husband, Raymond, predeceased her in 2021. The emotional weight of this gathering reflects the profound impact Shea had on her community and the nation.

As the funeral service unfolds at St. Simon and St. Jude Catholic Church, many within the community and beyond are reflecting on Shea’s legacy and the void her passing leaves in Canadian politics.

Stay tuned for more updates as the service progresses and tributes continue to pour in for this beloved public figure.