Historical Figure
Pierre Trudeau
1919–2000
Prime Minister of Canada (1968–1979; 1980–1984)
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Biography
Joseph Philippe Pierre Yves Elliott Trudeau was a Canadian politician and lawyer who served as the 15th prime minister of Canada from 1968 to 1979 and again from 1980 to 1984. Between his non-consecutive terms as prime minister, he served as the leader of the Official Opposition from 1979 to 1980.
In Their Own Words (5)
If Canada is to survive, it can only survive in mutual respect and in love for one another.
Televised address (1976-11-24) , 1976
If I can be permitted to turn around a phrase, I would say that I'm kind of sorry I won't have you to kick around any more.
Statement to the press, referencing "You won't have Dick Nixon to kick around any more", during his resignation speech (21 November 1979) , 1979
If you want to see me again, don't bring signs saying "Trudeau is a pig" and don't bring signs that he hustles women, because I won't talk to you. I didn't get into politics to be insulted. And don't throw wheat at me either. If you don't stop that, I'll kick you right in the ass.
Comment to a young protester throwing wheat at him during a speech in Regina, (17 July 1969), in The Best of Trudeau (1972) , 1969
Living next to you is in some ways like sleeping with an elephant. No matter how friendly and even-tempered is the beast, if I can call it that, one is affected by every twitch and grunt.
Être votre voisin, c'est comme dormir avec un éléphant; quelque douce et placide que soit la bête, on subit chacun de ses mouvements et de ses grognements. , 1969
We must now establish the basic principles, the basic values and beliefs which hold us together as Canadians so that beyond our regional loyalties there is a way of life and a system of values which make us proud of the country that has given us such freedom and such immeasurable joy."
This quote from 1981 appears on the poster of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms(wikipedia) (1981) , 1981
Timeline
The story of Pierre Trudeau, told in moments.
Returns to Montreal after studying at Harvard, Sciences Po in Paris, and the London School of Economics. He co-founds the journal Cite libre, attacking Quebec's authoritarian Premier Duplessis. He's 29, independently rich, and looking for a fight.
Elected Liberal Party leader after a campaign fueled by what the press calls "Trudeaumania." He's a bachelor, drives a Mercedes, does pirouettes behind the Queen, and slides down banisters in the House of Commons. He wins the general election two months later.
Invokes the War Measures Act during the October Crisis after FLQ terrorists kidnap British diplomat James Cross and Quebec minister Pierre Laporte. Troops deploy in Montreal. Asked how far he'll go, he tells a reporter: "Just watch me." Laporte is found murdered.
The Quebec sovereignty referendum fails 59.6% to 40.4%. Trudeau has campaigned hard against it. He tells Quebecers: "We are putting our seats on the line." It's the defining political battle of his career.
Queen Elizabeth II signs Canada's Constitution Act on Parliament Hill, patriating the Canadian constitution and enshrining the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Trudeau's greatest legislative achievement. Quebec Premier Rene Levesque refuses to sign.
Dies at home in Montreal at 80. His body lies in state on Parliament Hill. Over 60,000 Canadians file past. His son Justin, then 28, delivers a eulogy that makes the country weep. Justin will become prime minister 15 years later.
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