TheTrudeau

Years

The Trudeau YearsPierre Elliott Trudeau

was Justice Minister in Pearson’s gvt (1967)

won a majority gvt after only 1 month as PM (1968)

PM from April 1968 to June 1979, and again from March 1980 to June 1984

3rd PM with French-Canadian ancestry▪ strong Federalist▪ opposed the separatist movement in Quebec

“Trudeaumania”Describes the time period of

Trudeau’s majority election Trudeau was unlike any other politicians; his physical appearance and attitude caused him to be a hot topic in social circles

much of Trudeau’s support came from youth

his popularity reminded people of Beatlemania

Trudeau on a Global Scale

In foreign affairs, Trudeau kept Canada firmly in NATO, but often pursued an independent path in international relations.

He established Canadian diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China, before the United States did, and went on an official visit to Beijing.

He was known to be a friend of Fidel Castro and Cuba.

Trudeau on a Global Scale

Trudeau was the first world leader to agree to meet John Lennon and his wife Yoko Ono on their 'tour for world peace'.

Lennon said, after talking with Trudeau for 50 minutes, that Trudeau was "a beautiful person" and that "if all politicians were like Pierre Trudeau, there would be world peace."

Trudeau on a Global Scale

Trudeau’s Beliefs/Policies“The state does not belong in the

bedroom of the nation.” Legalized birth control and homosexuality,

and made it easier to divorce

Federalism – a system of gvt in which power is divided Canada has Federal and Provincial levels

of gvt areas of law are divided into these levels▪ Examples: Health Care is under Provincial

Jurisdiction and Foreign Affairs is under Federal Jurisdiction

Trudeau’s Beliefs/Polices

This system helps prevent the abuse of power in the gvt

Trudeau believed that Federalism would help preserve individual rights (Federal) and maintain a French Canadian identity (Provincial)

Bilingualism - a gvt policy Trudeau felt that French-English relations was a problem that needed to be fixed

believed that if the French felt valued outside of Quebec that relations would be better

Trudeau’s Beliefs/Polices

His solution: make French feel comfortable everywhere in Canada – all Crown Corporations, Federal Gvt agencies, and courts would be fully bilingual throughout Canada

In 1969 the Official Languages Act is passed by Parliament▪ Canada becomes a bilingual country

Trudeau’s Beliefs/Polices