Sixth Grade
Worksheets
Pierre Trudeau, Part 2
Caption: Cuban Prime Minister Fidel Castro and Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau join in a singalong during the P.M.'s Latin American Tour in January, 1976.
While few people objected to the invocation of the War Measures Act to catch terrorists, the subject of bilingualism was a different kettle of fish. Trudeau was determined to make French an official language along with English in all of the provinces. He felt this was an important step in making Canada a place that was open and welcoming to people of all cultures. His work on this issue resulted in making all Canadian federal documents, services, and broadcasting available in both English and French.
In March 1971, Trudeau married Margaret Sinclair. For the Canadian public, who had been treated to his name being linked with a long list of celebrity women, it was a big step toward normalcy, even though Margaret was less than half his age. The marriage produced three sons; Justin, Alexandre or "Sacha," and Michel. (Michel was presumed killed during an avalanche in British Columbia on November 13, 1998. His body was never recovered. Sacha is a Canadian filmmaker, journalist and author. Justin followed in his father's footsteps and became Canada's prime minister in 2015.) The Trudeaus separated in 1977 and divorced in 1984.
Prime Minister Trudeau supported Canada's involvement with NATO, but he also had his own ideas about Canada's foreign policies. Trudeau opened talks with Communist China and also visited Beijing. He built a friendship with Fidel Castro of Cuba. For many years Canada's relationship with the United States was strained.
Pierre Trudeau was always known as a flamboyant character. While looking the part of an elder statesman, he did not always act like one. One time he slid down the banisters at Buckingham Palace, and another time he did a pirouette behind the Queen. In 1978, he went on vacation to Morocco instead of being in Canada to greet the Queen during a visit. It was considered a major breach in protocol. Then in an about face, he invited Elizabeth II to the first Commonwealth Conference. It began a tradition that still continues.
