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A People's Prime Minister, Aboriginals, Men of the Moment, Money, Robert-Falcon Ouellette, Trudeau & Trudeau
Justin Trudeau and Pierre Trudeau: There are both similarities and profound difference between Father and Son. (The Canadian Press Files)
The Aftermath
I’m returning to the fine arts, stories, music, literature, aboriginals, &c. However, before I turn the page, allow me to comment on reactions that followed Monday’s Liberal Party victory.
On Tuesday, 20 October 2015, I read numerous newspaper articles as well as posts on the Federal election held Monday, 19 October 2015. By and large, journalists were surprised but happy with the outcome of the Canadian election.
However, I had written somewhere that because he was Pierre Trudeau’s son, Justin Trudeau had to face obstacles during his campaign. It was therefore suggested to me that being rich, famous and well-connected was not an obstacle, which I took to mean that being rich, famous and well-connected was an advantage. There can be no doubt that money, fame and the right connections can make a political campaign easier, but that is not altogether the case.
In other words, the fact remains that Justin Trudeau earned his victory in last Monday’s Federal election by presenting a coherent platform and one that addressed the needs of ordinary Canadians, beginning with Canada’s children and its families. It has become increasingly difficult for Canadians to make ends meet and save for retirement.
24 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, is the home of Canadian Prime Ministers
(Photo credit: Google Images)
The Leadership of the Liberal Party of Canada
- Pierre Elliott Trudeau
- Justin Trudeau
It would be my opinion that, in 2013, during the Liberal Party leadership election, being Pierre Elliott Trudeau’s son probably helped Justin Trudeau secure the leadership of his Party. He replaced Michael Ignatieff (b. 1947) whose Liberals were defeated in the Canadian Federal Election of 2011 and who lost his own seat in Parliament. A change was needed. (See Liberal Party leadership election, 2013.)
However, at the beginning of the electoral campaign that culminated in a victory for the Liberals, Mr. Stephen Harper, the leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, stated that Justin Trudeau “[would] exceed expectations if he [came] on stage with his pants on.” The inference was that Justin Trudeau was too young and unable to fill his father’s shoes.
Father and Son: The Moment
- Pierre Elliott Trudeau
- Justin Trudeau
http://news.nationalpost.com/news/canada/canadian-politics/trudeau-vs-trudeau
A comparison between father and son was inevitable and it is “trending,” which the image featured at the top of this post indicates. Moreover, although allusions to the father, Pierre Trudeau, were scarce during the campaign, the statement uttered by Prime Minister Stephen Harper at the onset of the 2015 Federal Election campaign remained on the mind of voters.
Pierre Elliott Trudeau
Pierre Trudeau was a Professor of Law who held a Master’s degree in Political Economy from Harvard University and had studied at both the Sorbonne and the London School of Economics. I will list some of the highlights of the Trudeau years.[1]
- The Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1968-69
- The Official Languages Act, 1969
- The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (embedded in the patriated Constitution, 1982)
- The Patriated Constitution, 1982
- Multiculturalism (section 27 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms)
- &c.
The above list is incomplete. Moreover, I should mention that Pierre Elliott Trudeau’s decisions and policies were not always popular. On the contrary. For instance, in October 1970, members of the Front de Libération du Québec (FLQ), the terrorist branch of Quebec’s separatist movement, kidnapped British diplomat James Cross and assassinated Quebec’s Minister of Labour and Deputy Premier Pierre Laporte (25 February 1921 – 17 October 1970). (See October Crisis, Wikipedia.)
Trudeau brought on the War Measures’ Act and, as a result, militant separatists were arrested and several spent a night or more, in prison. These Quebecers have since been elevated to martyrdom.
I should also note that many Québécois and French Canadian nationalists resented the introduction of multiculturalism. Multiculturalism seemed inconsistent with the previously enacted biculturalism.
The Multiculturism Act was not passed until 1988, under Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, but it was Section 27 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, embedded in the Constitution Act of 1982.
In short, the truly great Pierre Trudeau miffed a few citizens, and Justin Trudeau was not a sure winner if compared to his father. Although the son has a more engaging personality than the father, they share several views and the son is as determined as the father.
Justin Trudeau
Justin Trudeau is well-educated, but he is not the intellectual his father was. People remember. But let us consider that times have changed and that, in 2015, Justin Trudeau seemed the man of the moment, just as his father had seemed the man of the moment in the 1970s, but for different reasons. In choosing leaders, the moment is a crucial factor. Between 1968 and 1984, the moment called for the intellectually polished Pierre Elliott Trudeau to lead the country. But 2015 was a different moment.
In 2015 Canada needed a Prime Minister who realized that Canadians could not make ends meet and who could inspire the nation to help him bring about greater prosperity for everyone. In 2015, Canada needed a Prime Minister who could listen to Canadians and reach out to them. So the man of the moment was no longer Pierre Trudeau, it was Justin Trudeau.
Therefore, contrary to Mr. Harper’s statement, expressed above, Justin Trudeau exceeded expectations. Not only did he come on stage fully and properly dressed, but Canadians found in him a listener and a very approachable candidate. He, Justin Trudeau, had a coherent and persuasive platform.
Yes he needed money to run a campaign, but money is not what brought him a resounding political victory. Mr. Harper and Mr. Mulcair also had money. One can donate money, within limits, to a political party.
Conclusion
People, members of Parliament and Premiers, are looking forward to working with Justin Trudeau, soon to be the Right Honourable Justin Trudeau. For instance, ten Indigenous Canadians will sit in the House of Commons, la Chambre des communes, which comprises 338 members. One is Robert-Falcon Ouellette, a Métis representing Winnipeg Centre. He holds a PhD.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/canada-election-results-winnipeg-centre-1.3278596
(Photo credit: Lucas Oleniuk/ Toronto Star)
(Photo credit: Paul Chiasson/ The Canadian Press)
Being rich does not preclude being good. Justin Trudeau is a good person. No, he was not expected to be elected. However, he exceeded everyone’s expectations and may continue to do so.
I have just edited this post, and I apologize.
With kindest regards to all of view. ♥
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[1] Pierre Elliott Trudeau was Prime Minister of Canada from 1968 until 1984, with an interruption in 1979-1980, when 40-year-old Conservative leader Joe Clark was Prime Minister.
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© Micheline Walker
22 October 2015
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