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Should Herb Gray be given a state funeral?

Should Herb Gray be given a state funeral?

Canada has lost a political giant.

Herb Gray — former Liberal MP who served for almost four decades, cabinet minister in 11 posts, and deputy prime minister and Canada's first Jewish cabinet minister — passed away on Monday at the age of 82.

[ Related: Former deputy prime minister Herb Gray dies at 82 ]

When the news began to make headlines on Monday evening, journos and politicos — past and present — took to social and traditional media to praise the man affectionately known as "The Gray Fog."

While Herb Gray quickly became the toast of the country, some were using the same mediums to suggest Gray should be entitled to a state funeral.

According to the Ministry of Canadian Heritage website, the honour of a state funeral is officially limited to a select group of individuals.

"It has been the practice for the Government of Canada to offer a state funeral to present and former governors general, present and former prime ministers and sitting members of the Ministry. In addition, any eminent Canadian may be offered a state funeral at the discretion of the Prime Minister."

But in recent years, the Prime Minister has used his discretion. He granted a state funeral for former NDP leader Jack Layton and former finance minister Jim Flaherty, who resigned from his post a month before his death. Many in the Twitterverse are asking the prime minister to use similar discretion with Gray.

Even former prime minister Paul Martin waded in on the debate.

"Do I think that Herb Gray is entitled to the same kind of funeral that others who received state funerals have? Absolutely. Let there be no doubt about that," Martin told 680News on Tuesday.

We did ask the Prime Minister's office whether or not a state funeral for Gray was under consideration.

Here's their response.

"Mr. Gray was a great Canadian and a tremendous parliamentarian who served with honour and dignity," PMO Director of Communications Jason MacDonald told Yahoo Canada News in an email exchange.

"We are offering to support Mr. Gray's family with the planning and logistics of his funeral."

MacDonald did add, however, that flags on all Government of Canada buildings, in Ottawa, will be flown at half-mast from now until sunset on the day of the Gray's funeral. The flag at the Peace Tower will flown at half-mast on the day of the funeral or memorial service.

[ Related: Plans for Jim Flaherty’s rare state funeral excite mixed reviews ]

The counter point of view to holding a state funeral for Gray is where does it stop? There were, and are, a lot of impressive cabinet ministers in Canadian history and we can't have costly state funerals for all of them, can we?

What do you think? Should the Right Honourable Herb Gray be given a state funeral? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

(Photo courtesy of the Canadian Press)

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