The regimental funeral for the late Corporal Nathan Cirillo erased party lines between the provincial representatives in attendance.
Cirillo was shot to death last week while standing guard at the National War Memorial in Ottawa. His death via a lone gunman shocked the country, and a huge outpouring of affection and mourning has followed. On Tuesday, thousands gathered in Hamilton for his funeral.
Deputy Premier Deb Matthews and Municipal Affairs Minister Ted McMeekin, a Hamilton-area MPP, attended the funeral on behalf of the government. They were joined - in the same pew, Matthews said -  by interim PC leader Jim Wilson and NDP leader Andrea Horwath, who also represents a Hamilton riding. Hamilton NDP MPP Monique Taylor was there as well.
Matthews told QP Briefing the tragedy transcended party politics.
"At times like this, all of the party divisions disappear," said Matthews. The deputy premier was at the funeral in the absence of Premier Kathleen Wynne, who is currently in China.
"It was very very moving," Matthews said. "I was proud to be there on behalf of the people of Ontario."
Cirillo served as a reservist with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada regiment, which is based in Hamilton. Thousands of mourners lined the streets of the city to pay their respects. The soldier's body was brought to a cathedral <a href="http://globalnews.ca/news/1640108/photos-cpl-nathan-cirillo-laid-to-rest-in-hometown-hamilton/" target="_blank">on a gun carriage. </a>
"I think it touched all Canadians and it definitely touched Hamiltonians," Matthews  said. "There was a real outpouring of grief and affection and respect. It was very moving."
"Our city and country came together to honour and pay tribute to a brave young man and to support the family he left behind," said Horwath in a statement.  “The outpouring of support in response to this tragedy made me proud to be a Hamiltonian.  The strength and resilience of our community is an inspiration."
Prime Minister Stephen Harper attended the service <a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2014/10/28/transcript_of_stephen_harpers_eulogy_for_cpl_nathan_cirillo.html" target="_blank">and delivered a eulogy for Cpl. Cirillo.</a>
"He knew what he was protecting and what he was preserving," Harper said. "He died protecting and preserving."
"He has now joined the ranks of so many Canadians who have gone before him, having given all in the service of their country," the prime minister added. "Our hearts are broken at his loss. But our spirits are grateful for his memory. Cpl. Cirillo knew what all those men and women before him also knew ... The only values really worth living for are those worth dying for."
The Queen also sent her condolences. Her representative in Ontario, Lieutenant-Governor Elizabeth Dowdeswell, attended the funeral.
In memory of Cirllo,  the steps of John W. Foote VC armoury were covered in flowers and wreaths. Some mourners chose to leave treats for the fallen soldier's dogs.
Rev. Canon Rob Fead <a href="news.nationalpost.com/2014/10/28/cpl-nathan-cirillos-funeral-to-be-held-in-hamilton-today/" target="_blank">said Cirillo was “Canada’s son." </a>
“His bravery, his sacrifice, is not in vain,” Fead said.

Soldier’s funeral brings all parties together in mourning

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