Pierre Trudeau Dies at 80
Pierre Elliott Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada for nearly 16 years, died on September 28, 2000 at the age of 80. He had prostate cancer and was also suffering from Parkinson's Disease.
Trudeau served as Prime Minister of Canada from 1968 to 1979 and again from 1980 to 1984.
Three Wise Men
Pierre Trudeau was one of the "Three Wise Men" from Quebec - Trudeau, labour leader Jean Marchand and newspaper editor Gerard Pelletier - who went to Ottawa in 1965. Trudeau soon became Minister of Justice, and oversaw amendments to the Canadian Criminal Code on abortion and homosexuality, and divorce reform. His words "the state has no place in the bedrooms of the nation" are still quoted frequently in Canada.
Trudeaumania
Canadians were optimistic and confident coming out of Centennial Year in 1967, and Pierre Trudeau captured the country's imagination. He was swept to power in 1968 in a wave of "Trudeaumania". The country's fascination with the man has never ceased, and as recently as 1999 Canadian Press editors named him Newsmaker of the Century.
Pierre Trudeau and Cooperative Federalism
An ardent believer in "cooperative federalism" and a strong federal government in Canada, Trudeau fought passionately to keep Quebec in Canadian Confederation. The introduction of the Official Languages Act in 1969, and his use of the War Measures Act after FLQ terrorists kidnapped British trade commissioner James Cross in 1970 were just two of the controversial actions that sprang from his beliefs.
Pierre Trudeau and the Just Society
Trudeau is also the man who spoke of the Just Society in Canada and made at least one generation of Canadians believe in fairness and equal opportunity for all. As Canadian Prime Minister Chretien says, "he believed that what we had in common was the source of our strength, and that what set us apart enriched all of us."
Family of Pierre Trudeau
Pierre Trudeau is survived by sons Justin and Sacha Trudeau, and daughter Sarah Coyne, as well as sister Suzette Trudeau-Rouleau. Trudeau's youngest son Michel Trudeau was killed in an avalanche in 1998.
