Pierre Elliott Trudeau and How He Shaped the Canadian Identity
Sophie Castel
Ms. Loftus
CHC 2D1
01/3/2010
Pierre Elliott Trudeau and How He Shaped the Canadian Identity
Governing from 1968 to 1984, Pierre Elliott Trudeau was one of the most
significant Prime Ministers of Canada. In relation to human rights, Trudeau wanted every
Canadian to be treated as an equal. Culturally, Trudeau wanted to celebrate and unite the
country’s differing beliefs. In terms of foreign affairs, he pursued an independent path in
international relations. Pierre Trudeau worked toward making a harmonious,
peacekeeping, united Canada, while still valuing independent cultures and beliefs.
Trudeau believed that every Canadian, regardless of belief, culture, race, or sexual
orientation, should be treated as an equal. To achieve this goal, Trudeau first liberalized
laws on divorce and abortion, and decriminalized homosexuality (The Canadian
Challenge, 246). To follow up, he established the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, a
political document that states and protects the rights of individuals living in Canada. This
document was designed to unify Canadians by using a set of principals by which
Canadians were supposed to abide. For example, “Every individual is equal before and
under the law...” (Department of Justice). In addition to establishing the Charter of
Rights and Freedoms, Trudeau gradually equalized incomes to achieve his vision of a
“Just Society”, where every all Canadians had equal opportunities (The Prime Ministers
of Canada). In response to Quebec wanting its own distinct society, Trudeau created the
Official Languages Act, which allowed the Québecois and the English-speaking
Canadians to live harmoniously together in the same country. This was because French
and English became the national languages, and the Québecois felt incorporated into the
Canadian culture. Trudeau wanted every Canadian to be treated as an equal, and to
accomplish his ambition he
Ms. Loftus
CHC 2D1
01/3/2010
Pierre Elliott Trudeau and How He Shaped the Canadian Identity
Governing from 1968 to 1984, Pierre Elliott Trudeau was one of the most
significant Prime Ministers of Canada. In relation to human rights, Trudeau wanted every
Canadian to be treated as an equal. Culturally, Trudeau wanted to celebrate and unite the
country’s differing beliefs. In terms of foreign affairs, he pursued an independent path in
international relations. Pierre Trudeau worked toward making a harmonious,
peacekeeping, united Canada, while still valuing independent cultures and beliefs.
Trudeau believed that every Canadian, regardless of belief, culture, race, or sexual
orientation, should be treated as an equal. To achieve this goal, Trudeau first liberalized
laws on divorce and abortion, and decriminalized homosexuality (The Canadian
Challenge, 246). To follow up, he established the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, a
political document that states and protects the rights of individuals living in Canada. This
document was designed to unify Canadians by using a set of principals by which
Canadians were supposed to abide. For example, “Every individual is equal before and
under the law...” (Department of Justice). In addition to establishing the Charter of
Rights and Freedoms, Trudeau gradually equalized incomes to achieve his vision of a
“Just Society”, where every all Canadians had equal opportunities (The Prime Ministers
of Canada). In response to Quebec wanting its own distinct society, Trudeau created the
Official Languages Act, which allowed the Québecois and the English-speaking
Canadians to live harmoniously together in the same country. This was because French
and English became the national languages, and the Québecois felt incorporated into the
Canadian culture. Trudeau wanted every Canadian to be treated as an equal, and to
accomplish his ambition he
Cited: Baldwin, Doug. The Canadian Challenge. N.p.: OUP Canada, 2008. Print. The Canadian Encyclopedia. Historica-Dominion, n.d. Web. 15 Dec. 2010. The History Of Canada Online. Northern Blue Publishing, n.d. Web. 15 Dec. 2010. “Pierre Elliott Trudeau .” The Prime Ministers of Canada. 7th Floor Media, n.d. Web. 15 Dec. 2010. Shipton, Rosemary. Canada Through the Decades: The 1960’s. N.p.: Weigl Educational Publishers Limited, 2000. Print. ----------------------- Castel 1 Castel 2 Castel 3 Castel 4