Today marks the tenth anniversary of Trudeau's death.
There is no doubt (whether you liked or hated him) that he was a profoundly important Canadian. I met him (very briefly) in the late 1970's -- a remarkable man and when you spoke to him there was an intensity I have never experienced before or since.
8 comments:
Fair enough.
But even you would recognize he was a controversial figure. While your meeting was one that left you impressed, others I'd say were not.
A few out there will remember being given the finger as he left Salmon Arm.
There is no doubt that he was one of the most influential PM's in the last century. Whether it was for the good or not is a debate for another day.
I remember that his passing was announced during the Sydney Olympics...
What a scummy chump this guy was. God of the libbys. He's in hell now.
Trudeau was OK, a little to cool and offensive but OK. He could have done so much more for the people of Canada than he did. Tommy would have done a lot more for Canadians. Trudeau was hip Tommy was great.
I moved to Alberta in 2000 from Ontario. I was told of quite a few horror stories of what happened to people because of the NEP--which was basically Eastern Canada voting itself cheap oil at the expense of Alberta.
Trudeau (outside of Alberta) is largely an icon. But he was also an asshole, as was Chretien. Harper, for good or ill, is also considered an asshole.
Mulroney (in spite of recent corruption scandal) was one of those rare nice guys in Canadian politics who was successful (though his 2 election victories were largely the result of a public sick and tired of Liberal rule). But Mulroney was backstabbed (Bouchard) and had red tory MPs nipping at him from his left flank, even criticizing him openly in the media. Harper rules his caucus with an iron fist, and he doesn't take crap (right or wrong).
Nice guys usually finish last in Canadian politics. Look at what happened to Stockwell Day.
Sometimes you need to look outside of your closed circle to realize what others think of someone. Most Canadians revere Trudeau. Around the world Trudeau is even more respected. As you travel around the world and talk to locals, Trudeau's name is very well spoken of (as is Chretien, more recently). It is a sign of the greatness of the man - the mark he left on the world.
I was in awe of PM Trudeau ever since I first met him in Montmartre Sk. in 1980 (before that, actually - my father is a huge fan). His politics were (and are) right. Would be great to see such vision today. Someone needs to have the cajones to try something bold - not cower in the corner worrying about what every single faction of a population will think. If you act out of compassion for all, with respect for human rights, and in the interest of the greater population, you will succeed.
WG
You are trying too hard. Most people outside of Canada have no idea who Trudeau is or was.
I have done a lot of travelling outside of Canada and I can't recall his name ever coming up.
You should heed your own advice.Trudeau was a polarizing figure.
I was living in Tokyo when this happened.
Polarizing figure? Indeed.
Best Canadian PM? Indeed.
The worst PM in the history of Canada.
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