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'''Pierre Elliot Trudeau''' (1919-2000) was the fifteenth [[Prime Minister]] of [[Canada]]. He remains a towering figure in Canadian politics even to this day. He held office for 15 years in two spells, the first from April 20, 1968 to June 4, 1979, and the second from March 3, 1980 to June 29, 1984. In longevity and importance, he compares to [[William Lyon Mackenzie King]], who was Prime Minister for twenty-one years in the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s.

'''Pierre Elliot Trudeau''' (1919-2000) was the fifteenth [[Prime Minister]] of [[Canada]]. He remains a towering figure in Canadian politics even to this day. He held office for 15 years in two spells, the first from April 20, 1968 to June 4, 1979, and the second from March 3, 1980 to June 29, 1984. In longevity and importance, he compares to [[William Lyon Mackenzie King]], who was Prime Minister for twenty-one years in the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s.

Trudeau, leader of the [[Liberal_Party_of_Canada|Liberal Party]], is best known for sponsoring the [[Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms]], [[repatriation|repatriating]] the Canadian [[constitution]] so that Britain lost its last remaining control over Canada, his anti-American foreign policy, his failed efforts to seize federal control of [[Alberta]]'s oil riches, and his aggressive defeat of [[Quebec]] separatist terrorism by the War Measures Act during the October Crisis in 1970. He strongly endorsed Canadian nationalism and fought the secessionist elements in [[Quebec]], but to do that he angered much of English speaking Canada.  His energy policies angered the Prairie Provinces, especially [[Alberta]], permanently weaking his party there. In terms of American conservatism and liberalism, his Liberal Party contained both conservative and liberal elements; his policies generally were hostile to conservative positions.

Trudeau, leader of the [[Liberal_Party_of_Canada|Liberal Party]], is best known for sponsoring the [[Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms]], [[repatriation|repatriating]] the Canadian [[constitution]] so that Britain lost its last remaining control over Canada, his anti-American foreign policy, his failed efforts to seize federal control of [[Alberta]]'s oil riches, and his aggressive defeat of [[Quebec]] separatist terrorism by the War Measures Act during the October Crisis in 1970. He strongly endorsed Canadian nationalism and fought the secessionist elements in [[Quebec]], but to do that he angered much of English speaking Canada.  His energy policies angered the Prairie Provinces, especially [[Alberta]], permanently weakening his party there. In terms of American conservatism and liberalism, his Liberal Party contained both conservative and liberal elements; his policies generally were hostile to conservative positions.

==Career==

==Career==

===Quebec politics===

===Quebec politics===

He gained renown for his work in the field of civil liberties when Quebec was ruled by the  authoritarian [[Duplessis]] regime (1944-1959). He helped the provincial Liberals win in Quebec in 1960, but then turned away from their growing nationalist orientation.  Trudeau was always a strong advocate of the Canadian federal system, and repeatedly opposed all efforts to strengthen the provinces at the expense of the national government in Ottawa. He campaigned against the Liberals in the 1963 federal election for the moderately socialist [[New Democratic Party]]  Meanwhile the "[[Quiet Revolution]]" was transforming and modernizing Quebec, advancing a secularist ideology and freeing the province from the long-time control of English-speaking businessmen and the Catholic Church.

He gained renown for his work in the field of civil liberties when Quebec was ruled by the  authoritarian [[Duplessis]] regime (1944-1959). He helped the provincial Liberals win in Quebec in 1960, but then turned away from their growing nationalist orientation.  Trudeau was always a strong advocate of the Canadian federal system, and repeatedly opposed all efforts to strengthen the provinces at the expense of the national government in Ottawa. He campaigned against the Liberals in the 1963 federal election for the moderately socialist [[New Democratic Party]]. Meanwhile the "[[Quiet Revolution]]" was transforming and modernizing Quebec, advancing a secularist ideology and freeing the province from the long-time control of English-speaking businessmen and the Catholic Church.

===Parliament 1965 ===

===Parliament 1965 ===

In 1965, Trudeau along with Gérard Pelletier and Jean Marchand rejoined the national Liberal Party with the stated purpose of reforming it from within. The three quickly became the leading French-Canadians in the national Liberal organization.  He was first elected to the Canadian House of Commons in 1965, and repeatedly reelected until his retirement from politics in 1984.  Almost immediately the young and charismatic Trudeau was seen as a [[Liberal_Party_of_Canada|Liberal Party]] star and he was made Justice Minister in 1967.  Working with Prime Minister [[Lester Pearson]],<ref> See [http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0006175 ''Canadian Encyclopedia'']]</ref> he became the chief government spokesman against the efforts of Quebec's premier, [[Daniel Johnson]]<ref> See [http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0004149 ''Canadian Encyclopedia'']]</ref> , to claim special status for the province. Trudeau argued for strong but equal provinces and equal French and English language rights throughout Canada. Quebec separatism was growing, and was incited by French President [[Charles de Gaulle]], who cried the separatist slogan "Vive le Québec libre" to a crowd in Montréal;  Pearson issued an official rebuke and de Gaulle promptly went home, as Trudeau tried to staunch the damage.

In 1965, Trudeau along with Gérard Pelletier and Jean Marchand rejoined the national Liberal Party with the stated purpose of reforming it from within. The three quickly became the leading French-Canadians in the national Liberal organization.  He was first elected to the Canadian House of Commons in 1965, and repeatedly reelected until his retirement from politics in 1984.  Almost immediately the young and charismatic Trudeau was seen as a [[Liberal_Party_of_Canada|Liberal Party]] star and he was made Justice Minister in 1967.  Working with Prime Minister [[Lester Pearson]],<ref> See [http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0006175 ''Canadian Encyclopedia'']]</ref> he became the chief government spokesman against the efforts of Quebec's premier, [[Daniel Johnson]]<ref> See [http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0004149 ''Canadian Encyclopedia'']]</ref> , to claim special status for the province. Trudeau argued for strong but equal provinces and equal French and English language rights throughout Canada. Quebec separatism was growing, and was incited by French President [[Charles de Gaulle]], who cried the separatist slogan "Vive le Québec libre" to a crowd in Montréal;  Pearson issued an official rebuke and de Gaulle promptly went home, as Trudeau tried to staunch the damage.

After Pearson retired in late 1967 Trudeau was elected Liberal leader and riding a wave of  "Trudeaumania", became Prime Minister on April 19 1968.  He immediately called for elections, campaigning for "one united Canada" against the opposition Conservatives, who favored a special accommodation with Quebec. He won a firm majority, with strong representation across Canada.

After Pearson retired in late 1967 Trudeau was elected Liberal leader and riding a wave of  "Trudeaumania", became Prime Minister on April 19, 1968.  He immediately called for elections, campaigning for "one united Canada" against the opposition Conservatives, who favored a special accommodation with Quebec. He won a firm majority, with strong representation across Canada.

===FLQ===

===FLQ===

see also [[FLQ]]

''See also [[FLQ]]''

During his first 4 years in power Trudeau faced several politically volatile situations.  The most dramatic was his facing down a home grown terrorist threat of the Front de Liberation du Québec (or the FLQ).  For several years [[Quebec_separatist_movement|separatist]] desires were rising in the predominantly French-speaking province, and the FLQ tried to remove Quebec from Canada by force.  In October 1970, Trudeau invoked the War Measures Act.  This gave the state broad powers of arrest and detention in a time of crisis.  When asked how far and how long he would take the measures, Trudeau famously replied "Just watch me".   

During his first 4 years in power Trudeau faced several politically volatile situations.  The most dramatic was his facing down a home grown terrorist threat of the far-Left Front de Liberation du Québec (or the FLQ).  For several years [[Quebec separatist movement|separatist]] desires were rising in the predominantly French-speaking province, and the FLQ tried to remove Quebec from Canada by force.  In October 1970, Trudeau invoked the War Measures Act.  This gave the state broad powers of arrest and detention in a time of crisis.  When asked how far and how long he would take the measures, Trudeau famously replied "Just watch me".   

On 16 October 1970 the Trudeau Cabinet passed the War Measures Act and Regulations (WMA) which immediately sent the Canadian army into Montreal. The army summarily dragged 497 people out of their beds and into jail. Of these, 435 were released within two days, while 62 were charged and 32 held without bail. There was near-unanimous public support for these drastic measures at the time.  

On October 16, 1970 the Trudeau Cabinet passed the War Measures Act and Regulations (WMA) which immediately sent the Canadian army into Montreal. The army summarily dragged 497 people out of their beds and into jail. Of these, 435 were released within two days, while 62 were charged and 32 held without bail. There was near-unanimous public support for these drastic measures at the time.  

Although the FLQ kidnappings would end with the death of Quebec cabinet minister Pierre Laporte, the FLQ had its back broken by military presence in the province who arrested a handful of radicals.  The general public overwhelmingly supported the emergency powers and the presence of the military in Quebec.  When the crisis was over, Trudeau revoked the powers of the War Measures Act.

Although the FLQ kidnappings would end with the death of Quebec cabinet minister Pierre Laporte, the FLQ had its back broken by military presence in the province who arrested a handful of radicals.  The general public overwhelmingly supported the emergency powers and the presence of the military in Quebec.  When the crisis was over, Trudeau revoked the powers of the War Measures Act.

===Policies===

===Policies===

In 1969 Trudeau legalized abortion if so approved by a hospital board. However the Supreme Court in 1984 ruled that the requirement for a board to approve violated a woman's rights, and so now there are no legal restriction on abortions.  

In 1969 Trudeau legalized abortion if so approved by a hospital board. However the Supreme Court in 1984 claimed that the requirement for a board to approve violated a woman's rights, and so now there are no legal restriction on abortions.  

In economic policy his goal was to use the riches of Alberta oil to fund national programs, despite the vehement objections of the Albertans. His National Energy Program caused a bitter dispute over the nationalization of oil companies, to increase Canadian control and generate federal revenues from the energy sector.  Petro Canada was founded as a [[Crown Corporation]], although the Canadian government has since sold its stake in the company.

In economic policy his goal was to use the riches of Alberta oil to fund national programs, despite the vehement objections of the Albertans. His National Energy Program caused a bitter dispute over the nationalization of oil companies, to increase Canadian control and generate federal revenues from the energy sector.  Petro Canada was founded as a [[Crown Corporation]], although the Canadian government has since sold its stake in the company.

Late in life (1971) he married Margaret Sinclair, a young playgirl thirty years his junior. They were incompatible, for her image of Trudeau-as-romantic-playboy was based entirely on false media hype; he was actually a workaholic and an intense intellectual with little time for family or fun. After three children were born they separated in 1977 and were finally divorced in 1980.   

Late in life (1971) he married Margaret Sinclair, a young playgirl thirty years his junior. They were incompatible, for her image of Trudeau-as-romantic-playboy was based entirely on false media hype; he was actually a workaholic and an intense intellectual with little time for family or fun. After three children were born they separated in 1977 and were finally divorced in 1980.   

Trudeau remained active in law until late in his life and passed away on September 28, 2000 at the age of 80.

Trudeau remained active in law until late in his life and passed away on September 28, 2000 at the age of 80. His son, [[Justin Trudeau]], now heads the Liberal Party and is the Liberal candidate for Prime Minister in the 2015 Canadian federal election.

==Reputation==

==Reputation==

[[Category:Canadian Prime Ministers]]

[[Category:Canadian Prime Ministers]]

[[Category:Canadian History]]

[[Category:Canadian History]]

[[Category:Cold War]]

[[Category:Cold War]]

[[Category:Quebec]]

[[Category:Quebec]]

[[Category:Catholic Politicians]]

[[Category:Catholic Politicians]]