Canadian delegation arrives in Israel for Shimon Peres funeral

A Canadian delegation of politicians past and present paid tribute to former Israeli leaderShimon Peres today as theydepartedto attend his state funeral in Jerusalem on Friday.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau took a flight out of Ottawa on Thursday along withformer prime minister JeanChrtien, Foreign Affairs Minister Stphane Dion and interim Conservative Leader Rona Ambrose.

The flight arrived in Tel Avivjust after 6 p.m. ET.

• Peres dead at 93
• Mansbridge: Peres saw hope
• Israel's 9th president lying in state

Chrtiencalled Peresa "friend" and a "great man."

"He's been respected in the world for the last 30 years and everywhere he went, people were happy to meet him and they wanted to listen to him," he said. "He must have had a lot of influence."

Chrtien recalled how Peres gave him "hell" when he left politics, telling him that "winners never quit, and he
never quit."

Chretien remembers Shimon Peres as a friend

8 years ago

Duration 2:24

Former Prime Minister Jean Chretien remembers his friend Shimon Peres before boarding the plane along with PM Justin Trudeau and other dignitaries as they head to Israel for Peres' state funeral.

Peres, Israel'sninth president,died Wednesday from complications following a stroke. He was 93.

'Iconic figure'

Ambrose said she was honoured to be invited to attend theofficialfarewell for a man who leaves an "incredible legacy."

"It doesn't matter whether it's a Liberal government or a Conservative government, Canada and Israel are great friends, and Shimon Peres really is an iconic figure not only to Israelis, but to Canadians and to people all over the worldsomeone who fought for peace between Palestine and Israel, and really he is a symbol of so much more that needs to be done."

She called Israel a "beacon" ofpluralism and democracy in a difficult part of the world

Former prime minister Stephen Harper will also be attending the state funeral, andmade his own travel arrangements.The Prime Minister's Office saidNDP Leader TomMulcair, all premiers and allformer prime ministers were invited to be part of the Canadian delegation.

Mulcairis unable to attend due to his son's wedding.

Trudeau's tribute

Trudeau offered his condolences on behalf of Canadians on Wednesday. He said he was grateful to have had the opportunity to meet the man who led an "extraordinary life."

"He regaledme with stories of friendship with my father and his deep affection for Canadians," Trudeausaid.

Scores of other world leaders are expected to attend, including U.S. President Barack Obama, former president Bill Clinton and French PresidentFranoisHollande.

Clinton was president whenPereshelped negotiate a historic interim peace agreement with the Palestinians in 1993. The following year,Peresshared the Nobel Peace Prize with Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and Palestinian leaderYasserArafat.

The memorial service for Peres is expected to be the largest such gathering in Israel since the funeral forRabin, who was assassinated by a Jewish nationalist in 1995.