MONTREAL – Thousands of mourners came on Tuesday, October 4, 2000, to Old Montreal for the 90-minute state funeral in the monumental gray stone Notre-Dame Basilica to mourn the death of one of its greatest Prime Ministers, The Right Honourable Pierre Elliott Trudeau (born October 18, 1919 in Montreal, Quebec). He died at his home in Montreal on September 28, 2000.
Pierre Elliott Trudeau was a man of great intelligence, vision, courage and action. He was passionate and hard-working, as well as compassionate and bold.
Since entering Canadian politics on his election to the House of Commons in 1965, he captured the attention of the Canadian people with his great charisma which transformed into Trudeaumania. He electrified the people with the call for a just society leading his party to a great victory becoming Prime Minister of Canada on April 20th, 1968.
Some of his statements and actions were controversial because they were new ideas that shocked the people and shook the foundations of the country. However these challenges and dreams found their appropriate place in the hearts and minds of Canadians.
He left Canada very different from that of his early days in federal politics. His greatest accomplishments were the patriation of the Constitution with its entrenched Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the declaration of the unique social policy of Multiculturalism. Trudeau severed the last colonial links with Britain and launched a transformation of Canadian political and judicial life.
He revolutionized the relationship between Canadians legislating Official Bilingualism. His great courage implemented the War Measures Act quashing the FLQ separatists in the province of Quebec.
Trudeau was the master of the sound-bite, telling Canadians in his Omnibus Bill – one of his greatest and unprecedented legislative initiatives – that the state has no place in the bedrooms of the nation.
Canadians elected him their prime minister in four of the five elections in which he led the Liberal Party to victory. He governed for 16 years. Only John A. Macdonald and MacKenzie King served a little longer.
It was a great privilege and opportunity to have served in his cabinet as the first Minister of State for Multiculturalism and to further promote in the Senate that enlightened social
policy.
This lion in politics was most courteous in private. That is how I always remember him. I join Canadians in mourning a great man, and conveying my condolences to his family.
FOLLOWING THE NEWS OF THE DEATH OF THE RIGHT HONOURABLEPIERRE ELLIOTT TRUDEAU
September 28, 2000
Ottawa, Ontario
Prime Minister Jean Chrétien expressed his deep personal sadness today following the news of the death of the Right Honourable Pierre Elliott Trudeau:
“Pierre Trudeau, the embodiment of the dream of a just society, has left us. He is gone but his unfinished work remains — our country, Canada.
Above all, the forces of change that he set in motion continue to shape the soul of his people. A people who, thanks to him, in ever greater numbers express themselves in both of our official languages. A people who celebrate the diverse roots of our identity. A compassionate people, who reach out to the less fortunate. A young people, with a profound love of freedom, justice and fairness.
Pierre Trudeau dreamed of a society that afforded all of its citizens an equal opportunity to succeed in life – whatever their background or beliefs; whether rich or poor. He believed that what we had in common was the source of our strength, and that what set us apart enriched all of us. On the international stage, he gave us a profile and stature well beyond our size and power. Wherever we were in the world, he made us feel proud to be Canadians – proud to have the immense privilege of being part of this beautiful and great country.
A political giant, he was also a man, who, in his last days, suffered terribly from the loss of his youngest son, Michel. Today, they are together — at peace.
Pierre, my friend, your dream is more alive than ever. Thank you.
On behalf of all Canadians, Aline joins me in expressing our deepest condolences to his family.”
