Parliament Hill Canada Day Festivities



 Dedication To The Memory of 
The Right Honourable Pierre Elliot Trudeau

Canada became an independent country on July First, 1867 with the passage of the British North American Act, which recognized Canada as a Dominion, and no longer a colony of Great Britain. 

Until April 17th, 1982 however, Canada still didn't have full national sovereignty.  On that date Canada's Constitution was finally brought home and the fundamental laws of the land were now totally under the control of the Canadian Parliament. For this we owe our gratitude to the late Prime Minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau who made this, and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms which accompanied the patriation of the Constitution, primary goals of his tenure in office as our Prime Minister.

Canada Day [formerly called Dominion Day] is now the most significant holiday in our country and one which all Canadians from coast to coast, in every village, town, and city, celebrate with a greater degree of national pride and fervour than any previous celebrations of 'Dominion Day' could ever engender. 

Pierre Trudeau was arguably the finest Prime Minister this country has ever known, although many of his detractors may disagree. But even his detractors, if they are honest, will admit to a degree of respect for the man which surpasses that accorded any other leader in our lifetime.

One thing is incontrovertibly true, he loved this country. And the majority of  his countrymen loved him.

For as long as he chose to be, Pierre Elliot Trudeau was the commanding political figure of his generation. He charmed, challenged, baffled, and yes, even enraged Canadians. But one thing is certain, he never left them  indifferent.

He was a man who was under the age of 50 when he became Prime Minister, and who dared to wear sandals in the House of Commons if the mood was such that he felt so inclined, was flippant when others were serious, and adamant in doing things his way. The ever present rose in his lapel became his trademark. 

His personal motto  was "Reason Over Passion" but if events dictated, he could be the most passionate of men. Nowhere was this more  evident than in his commitment to federalism, and to keeping Quebec within Confederation. Even his detractors recognized his enormous contribution in combating Quebec separatism. 

More than anything else he believed in this country and in ONE people. Until he died , whenever the subject of separation arose, you could count on Pierre Trudeau's voice being heard. Even in retirement he spoke up each time the occasion warranted  on this subject, to denounce the Meech Lake Accord, and then again, the Charlottetown Accord. Retired he might be, but although a Quebecer and a proud one, he was a Canadian first, last, and always.

He was far from your typical Canadian political leader. He was a statesman, an intellectual, and a worldly man, with a set of values more should espouse, in this writer's opinion.  He believed in the sanctity of the individual regardless of their values, beliefs, or origins. He saw a Canada where everyone is equal under the law, where no one need suffer hatred or discrimination, and  where no one group is above another.

He created and articulated a vision of this country that resonates in the hearts  and minds of millions of Canadians. He challenged us to 'think' and he challenged us to 'dream', and to fight for what we believed.

During his tenure in office, Canada's credibility on the world  stage reached heights never previously achieved.  No Canadian politician, before or since, has come even close to matching him for intellect, rhetorical power, or sheer charisma.

Although he was the kind of man who would think nothing of attending wearing sandals,(in an unofficial capacity with his children), a function at which the Queen would be present, he did respect the traditions of this country, and when called upon to do so he never failed to rise to the occasion. Many, many times he made all of us  just a little bit prouder to be 'Canadian'.

Pierre Trudeau did not suffer fools gladly  and we heard the truth , even when the truth wasn't really what many wanted to hear. This may not have always been politically wise but expediency was never something he had too much interest in practising.

Prime Minister Trudeau had been retired, and for the most part secluded from political life for several years  prior to his death on September 28th, 2000. The news of his death caused an unprecedented outpouring of  national mourning in the country he loved so much. Canadians  throughout the country laid aside their natural reticence to honour the man as he so richly deserved.

Years after his time as prime minister, Pierre Elliott Trudeau is still remembered as the wittiest and most astute leader Canada has ever had. A Leader whom we should remember with pride,  a rarity unfortunately in public life.