|
3 Wisemen | Trudeaumania
| October Crisis |
Bilingualism |
Petro Canada |
72 Super Series |
Wage & Price
Controls | 1976 Olympics
| PQ come to Power |
Interlude |
Western Alienation
| 1980 Referendum |
The Constitution |
Changing of the
Guard
1968 marked a watershed in Canada. Prime
Minister Pearson recognized the power of French
nationalism in Quebec. Canada would have to make drastic
changes in the mosaic and makeup of the country to
accommodate changing demands across the land. This change
required action and the Liberals started by recruiting
star Federalist candidates in Quebec and presenting them
to the country as sincere proof of a new direction.
Pierre Trudeau was made minister of Justice and Trudeau-mania sweep the nation. A new Liberal period of
government began an Trudeau became the leader of the
country for a
generation. This period was turbulent and disruptive
with overwhelming economic challenges and political
forces that took the country to the brink of
disintegration. Alienation of traditional voters also spread and
the political fragmentation of the country
resulted in a highly Polarized electoral landscape.
Ironically the final step towards
complete statehood was
also achieved during this period with the repatriation
of the constitution and the creation of a Charter of
Rights and Freedoms. It was a period of experimentation,
fractured fellowship, strong nationalistic feelings,
alienation, and loss of confidence, but Canada
emerged from this time intact and progressive. |
