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The Life and Legacy of Pierre Elliott Trudeau

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Published in Trudeau S Shadow: The Life And Legacy Of Pierre Elliott Trudeau

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Trudeau's Shadow: The Life and Legacy of Pierre Elliott Trudeau

by Andrew Cohen

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	5579 KB
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Print length	:	416 pages

Pierre Elliott Trudeau was a Canadian politician who served as the 15th Prime Minister of Canada from 1968 to 1979 and from 1980 to 1984. He is considered one of the most influential figures in Canadian history.

Early Life and Education

Trudeau was born in Montreal, Quebec, on October 18, 1919. His father, Charles-Émile Trudeau, was a wealthy lawyer and businessman. His mother, Grace Elliott, was the daughter of a Scottish immigrant. Trudeau was raised in a bilingual household and attended both French and English schools.

Trudeau attended the Collège Jean-de-Brébeuf in Montreal and then studied law at the Université de Montréal. After graduating from law school, he worked as a lawyer and a professor of law at the Université de Montréal.

Political Career

Trudeau entered politics in 1965, when he was elected as a Member of Parliament for the Liberal Party of Canada. He quickly rose through the ranks of the party and became Prime Minister in 1968.

During his first term as Prime Minister, Trudeau introduced a number of significant reforms, including the Official Languages Act, which made French and English the official languages of Canada, and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which enshrined fundamental rights and freedoms in the Canadian constitution.

Trudeau also played a key role in the negotiations that led to the repatriation of the Canadian constitution from the United Kingdom in 1982.

Trudeau resigned as Prime Minister in 1979, but he returned to office in 1980. During his second term, he focused on economic issues and introduced a number of measures to promote economic growth.

Trudeau retired from politics in 1984. He died in Montreal on September 28, 2000.

Legacy

Trudeau is considered one of the most influential figures in Canadian history. He is credited with modernizing Canada and making it a more just and equitable society.

Trudeau's legacy is complex and contested. Some critics argue that his policies were too liberal and that he alienated many Canadians. However, there is no doubt that Trudeau was a visionary leader who left a lasting mark on Canada.

Pierre Elliott Trudeau was a brilliant and charismatic leader who dedicated his life to public service. He was a complex and controversial figure, but there is no doubt that he was one of the most influential Canadians of the 20th century.

Trudeau's legacy will continue to be debated for years to come. However, there is no doubt that he was a giant of Canadian politics and that his contributions to Canada will continue to be felt for generations to come.

Trudeau's Shadow: The Life and Legacy of Pierre Elliott Trudeau

by Andrew Cohen

4.3 out of 5