Pierre Elliott Trudeau
A Legal Reformer
Biographical Information
- born October 18th 1919
After graduating from elite preparatory school College Jan-de-Brebeuf, trudeau went on to receive a law degree from the University of Montreal
Desk officer at Privy Council
1951 to 1961 he practiced law, specializing in labor and civil liberty cases
1961 he joined the staff of the University of Montreal as a professor of constitutional law
1965 Trudeau became Minister of justice
He reformed the divorce laws and liberalized the laws on abortion and homosexuality
April 6 1968, won election for prime minister
Canada’s 15th prime minister
War measures act, giving government overarching power to arrest without trial
Bilingualism
referendum on Quebec’s sovereignty.(keep Quebec part of Canada)
Canada’s Partition from Great Britain, this monumental act brought civil rights for Canadians
After 16 years Trudeau resigned from politics in 1984
- September 28 2000, Trudeau past away. Suffered from Parkinson’s disease but his official cause of death was prostate cancer.
Honours and Awards
- Member of Queen’s Privy Council 1967
Albert Einstein Peace Prize 1984
Companion of Honor 1984
- Companion of the Order of Canada 1985
Actions Mr. Trudeau took for Canada
- Official languages act 1969
War measures act 1970
Wage and price controls 1975
Appointed first woman speaker of house of commons
Charter 1982
Partition 1982
- Appointed first woman governor general 1984
Effects and Problems faced after changes
- Trudeau's changes to the law and introducing the charter opened and broadened federal economic power
- After the major changes brought by Trudeau it also brought bigger changes to federal structures such as the Supreme court of Canada
- Pierre faced many problems such as economic and domestic problems which held him back when trying to change things
- A big factor that stopped Trudeau from taking bigger steps into change was when his party failed to take majority in 1979, but he still kept his seat in parliament
- Trudeau had a very unique personality and had very progressive ideas which lead him to be the most popular candidate
Factors that Influenced him
Previous prime minister Lester B. Pearson was upset of the fact that Canada is not protecting the French and English language and culture. Pierre made a promise and introduced Bilingualism which protected both English and French, and also officially made them Canada's main languages.
- Trudeau was also influenced by the BNA act to recreate it and make is in favor of Canadians. After a long time in process he was able to do that by introducing the constitution in 1982.