Canadians should study their past political leaders
Pierre Trudeau's history is an "inconvenient fact"
It has become a fad of social justice warriors to vilify the fathers of Confederation, tearing down statues of Sir John A. Macdonald and ignoring the contribution of George Etienne Cartier to the formation of our wonderful country. “Woke” activists have persuaded Mayor John Tory to rename Dundas Street based on the allegation that Henry Dundas was pro-slavery. Of course, they ignore history. Dundas was the person who introduced the legislation in the British Parliament to put and end to slavery. Sir John A. Macdonald’s contribution to the creation of Canada is legendary.
Pierre Trudeau also made important contributions to Canada, bringing home the Constitution; stemming Quebec separatism during the Front de Liberation Quebecois crisis; and, enactment of our bill of rights.
But Pierre Trudeau’s copybook is stained in several ways, and on balance he brought more damage to Canada than benefit.
Edna Brodie wrote a letter to the editor of Town and Country Today magazine in 2019 which I repeat (with minor editorial changes) below:
In 1940 a young Pierre, son of a wealthy Quebec gas station owner began his political activism supporting the Quebec wing of the Marxist movement. He later
changed his allegiance, joining the Quebec wing of the Communist Party. In his younger years, he travelled through mainland China but later he led a group of like minded Quebecers to a communist conference in Moscow. When questioned by Peter Worthington about his communist activities, he shrugged, suggested it was nothing, and claimed to have thrown a snowball at the statue of Stalin. Worthington
pointed out that "Must have been difficult, as there wasn't snow in Moscow all the time you were there".
Trudeau was blacklisted and denied entry to the U.S. based on his Communist activity. He joined the CCF/NDP; they actually believed he would be their candidate
and were taken aback when he joined the Liberal Party, reassuring his left wing supporters "The Liberals are only a means to an end". In 1965 he won election as a Liberal in the Town of Mount Royale. He was appointed Justice Minister in Pearson's gov't. In 1968 he was elected PM and during the entire time he was PM, Canada was never privy to any highly classified intelligence, especially from the Americans.
When he took office in 1968 our national debt was $18 billion 1, largely a hold over from the war. 15 1/2 years later, the debt was $200 billion, interest rates at 25 - 28%, Canadians were losing their homes in record numbers, their businesses going bankrupt, we had wage and price controls, and were taxed through the roof.
He declared on the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation his admiration for both China and Cuba and when asked about the millions who had died in their slave labor camps he stated, "Collateral damage is to be expected"! He was a pacifist, kicked out of officer's training for behavior unbecoming an officer. When he was 25 years of age, he refused to join other Canadians in World War 2 claiming it was not his fight.
As Prime Minister,Pierre Trudeau nationalized his father's gas stations under the Petro Canada banner making his father a very rich man and thereby ensuring his own future would be fruitful. This is the guy who raised this snowflake we currently call our Prime Minister.
"The Truth About Trudeau", is a great book by author Bob Plamondon. It's well worth the read.
We desperately need amendments to our constitution. One is the ability to recall or impeach an elected Prime Minister. That would address the principle "tell them what they want to hear, once you're elected you do what you want", which seems have been Pierre's philosophy.
When he died, there were only two world leaders who attended his funeral, Fidel Castro and Jimmy Carter.
I just wish people would inform themselves of who they are voting for. We survived Pierre Trudeau but he set us back economically at least 15 years, and Justin Trudeau seems determined to eclipse that damage.
It is astounding that another Trudeau is Prime Minister today.
Ms. Brodie nails it. Justin Trudeau looks like his father but lacks the charm, charisma and leadership qualities that aided Pierre Trudeau in his efforts to strengthen Canada but has inherited the same left wing ideology that seeks to harm our country, and will leave a legacy of legalized marijuana; Western separatism; a massive government debt; and, a weakened economy burdened by the failure to develop our natural resources in a way that actually benefits Canadians.
Canadians need to vote Trudeau out of office and relegate him to teaching drama where he is best qualified and least dangerous.
Note: Fraser Institute published national debt in 2019 dollars so the $18 billion in 1968 appears much larger than in current 1968 dollars.