Prime Minister and Champion of a “Just Society” Pierre Elliot Trudeau Prime Minister and Champion of a “Just Society”

Background Born to a wealthy family in 1919 in Quebec Studied Law, Political Science and Economics at university Travelled extensively around the world, including the USSR and Communist China Worked as a University professor and as a proponent of organized labour (unions) in Quebec

Political Life In 1965 Trudeau ran as a Liberal candidate for MP in Quebec – he won. Along with Gerard Pelletier and Jean Marchand, he was seen as a progressive force in politics (the “Three Wise Men”) Became PM Lester Pearsons Justice Minister and reformed the Criminal Code In 1968 he became leader of the Liberal Party and Prime Minister and won a majority government Prime Minister from 1968-79 and 1980-84

Trudeaumania Trudeau was young and exciting and many Canadians were energized by his ideas and optimistic vision for Canada Trudeau was a great speaker and prone to speaking his mind on issues He sometimes did unorthodox things that shocked and excited Canadians Example: When he was first introduced to Queen Elizabeth II he shook her hand, then turned a pirouette behind her back

“The picture expresses his maverick anti-conformism, his democratic disdain for aristocratic pomp,” –Doug Ball, photographer

Always wore a red rose in his lapel Always wore a red rose in his lapel. The flower became synonymous with Trudeau to many Canadians He signified hope, change and a strong Canadian identity

The “Just Society” Trudeau wanted to make Canada a “Just Society” The gov’t should ensure: Equal status/rights Equal opportunity Fair treatment for all A reduction in the gap between rich and poor Trudeau was a strong believer in individual rights and the need for gov’t to guarantee thos rights Trudeau decriminalized homosexuality, and liberalized the laws regarding divorce and abortion – “There is no place for the state in the bedrooms of the nation.” – Trudeau

His Lasting Gift Trudeau’s greatest legacy is the Canadian Constitution (1982). Trudeau enacted legislation to give Canada its own constitution, finally separate from Britain This included the Charter of Rights and Freedoms which carefully spelled out the rights and responsibilities of both the government and the individual The Charter now forms the foundation of all rights in Canada and has been the basis for many of the reforms and changes of the last 30 years.

Always Willing to Answer the Call…. Even after he retired, Trudeau refused to remain silent on important issues. When PM Brian Mulroney attempted to add new parts to Canada’s constitution that were aimed at appeasing Quebec’s concerns and demands (the Meech Lake and Charlottetown Accords) Trudeau spoke publicly against the new laws. Canadians listened to Trudeau and his comments are credited with helping to defeat that two Accords. Trudeau felt that he had a duty to involve himself in issues when they affected all Canadians