From Canadian Immigrants
|
I have also found it notable that among the people I work with who have
spoken of Trudeau, the loudest voices against him – saying things like "I
wouldn't cross the street to pay my respects to him," or, "What did he ever
do for this country?" are precisely those people whose daily jokes
inevitably involve racial slurs and stereotypes.
– Young-Ha Cho
Toronto, Ontario |
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Your responses:
Pierre E. Trudeau represented to me the intelectual giant, the
unconventional politician with a vision of a just society, and the
embodiment of tolerance in a multicultural society.
Having had the opportunity to flee the dark days of fascist dictatorship
in my homeland, arriving to Canada during the Trudeau era was like a breath
of fresh air.
I have clearly imprinted in my mind the day I was priviliged to obtain my
Canadian citizenship, February 1980, the same day of a federal election.
With the document in my hand I went to the polls and casted my ballot for
him.
A wonderful way to initiate my life as a a citizen of our great nation,
built by men like him.
Carlos Molina
Today I am a proud Canadian thanks to the efforts made by Prime Minister
Trudeau and his government to free Chilean political prisoners. I'd like to
thank him for letting me be free again and for giving me the opportunity to
leave behind the nightmare I was living in the Pinochet prisoner camps. But
above all, I'd like to thank Prime Minister Trudeau for the opportunity I
was given to raise my family here in this peaceful and giving nation.
Tono Cabezas Espinoza
Ex-Chilean Political Prisoner
Proud Canadian Citizen as of 1980
Dear Mr. Trudeau:
I am a Chinese immigrant from Hongkong who came to Canada 8 years ago. I
do not know you much except knowing that your were a former Prime Minister.
Upon your death, I learned from various media that you were the one that
bought about Multiculturalism to Canada, and it is certainly one of the
reasons I could be in Canada (this great country) now.
I do not know you much cause I wasn't born here, but certainly, I hope I
could know you more before your passing away. You must be a very great Man
cause the whole nation mourned for you.
I thank you for being a great leader of this country and I would certainly
find ways to know you more so that I can always remember how great a leader
you were, and you will be remembered by many of us.
Sincerely yours,
Anthony Lam
I came to Canada in December of 1973, which was of course Mr. Pierre Elliot
Trudeau's era. I came to Canada from a so-called third world country but
knew of Mr. Trudeau in the late 60's as a flamboyant single Prime Minister.
When I first applied to come to Canada as a permanent resident I was
rejected due to the economic condition in Canada. The only thing I had
going for me at that time was I had a sister living in Canada. Several
months later just out of the blue I received a letter from the Canadian
Embassy stating, if I was still interested in coming to Canada I could go to
the Canadian High Commission and request the necessary forms THAT WAS ONE
OF THOSE IMPORTANT EVENTS IN MY LIFE.
27 years later I now live in Toronto as an established Canadian Citizen.
Over the years following Canadian politics as an average critic, I always
have had a very high regard for Mr. Trudeau. To describe him simply in my
perspective, he stood tall, bold with fiery eyes ready for the challenge and
at the same time a calculated statesman. As an ordinary taxpaying citizen we
are all critical about our political leaders. One of the critical points of
Mr. Trudeau that I had was the country's debt.
Looking back at what he had done and what the country and its people have
achieved during his leadership the debt doesn't seem so significant after
all in the larger picture. Mr. Trudeau you have shown us what it is to be a
proud Canadian and what this country should stand for in the future. What
you set out to accomplish in Canadian politics cannot be appreciated with
any Nobel Prize or awards but only by the hearts and feelings of all
Canadians during this time of great loss.
Thank you for giving us the opportunity to share in your vision and sorrow.
THIS IS ONE OF THE IMPORTANT EVENTS IN MY LIFE THAT WILL BE TREASURED.
With our deepest condolence to Mr. Trudeau's Family
Kingsley & Charon Leon
The year was 1978 – the separatists were riding high with cries of "pure
laine" and "pure blood." It was also Pierre Trudeau's 10 th anniversary as
Prime Minister. My wife, daughter and I had immigrated to Canada from
India a couple of years before and were yet to complete our three years
before becoming Canadians. We used to help out in the Mt. Royal Riding
office of our M.P. who was the Prime Minister – so we were invited to a
wine-and-cheese party in honour of his anniversary.
Mr. Trudeau drove in from Ottawa. He entered the reception hall flanked by
Mounties, the press and the TV, and made his way to the back of the hall
where we happened to be standing. Jumping up on a table, he announced that
he was too tired to make a speech. Cries of "Speech!" "Speech!" went up.
He gave in, and looked around him, as if searching for a subject to speak
on. His eyes fell on us – a family from India and clearly not of "pure"
Quebec blood! What followed was a short speech in vintage Trudeau style
that my family and I will always remember:
"I know where you have come from. You could have gone to the United
States, and made a lot of money. You could have gone to Australia and been
a lot warmer. But, you chose to come to Canada. I say to you that you are
the REAL Canadians, because you chose to be Canadians. You are better
Canadians than me because I never had the chance to make that choice – my
parents made that choice for me! Welcome to Canada!" (End of speech)
I ask you and your listeners to imagine the impact of that speech on a
family of new Canadians who were then making a new home in a new land –
when the Prime Minister of your new host country welcomes you on board
saying that you are a better Canadian than he merely because you chose to
come to his country.
Thank you, my beloved Prime Minister!
Sunny Pal
Montreal, P.Q.
My father's feelings for Mr. Trudeau, and his heartbreak at Trudeau's
death, I have learned, is typical of the responses of many Canadians who
have come from abroad to choose Canada as their adopted home. For them,
Trudeau personified the best of Canada – he was the magnet, the beacon.
Those who didn't know him before they came, knew when they saw him, that
they had come to the right place. For this reason, he has had an honoured
place in their hearts.
I have also found it notable that among the people I work with who have
spoken of Trudeau, the loudest voices against him – saying things like "I
wouldn't cross the street to pay my respects to him," or, "What did he ever
do for this country?" are precisely those people whose daily jokes
inevitably involve racial slurs and stereotypes.
I think many of us mourn the passing of the great bulwark of our modern,
worldly Canada, against the old, but now growing, tide of xenophobia and
parochialism. It has been reassuring to see that those who yearn for that
open and compassionate Canada are still out there in great numbers.
Young-Ha Cho
Toronto
My husband and I are Chinese and new immigrants from Japan. We fell in love with Canada the first time we steped on this beautiful land in 1998. The most impressive feeling is people here are so warm and friendly and nobody has ever asked us, "when will you go back to China?" as we were often asked that way back in Japan.
We started to call Canada home shortly after landing, but sometimes wonder why this country is so different from other countries in the world. This weekend I watched all CBC programs about
the late Prime Minister Mr. Pierre Trudeau and finally knew why.
Anyone who underrates his vision and devotion should be a fool. Some commented he has failures, for me, it is more like a price
people have to pay for something more important. I believe even till today, Canada and the rest of the world have not fully realized how great Mr. Pierre Trudeau was. multiculturalism and unity of
the whole country is the foundation of a truly strong and free Canada. Mr. Trudeau is a generous gift gaven by God to Canada. The fact that most Canadian embrace his thoughts shows hope for
this country. We will, together with all the people here sharing his vision, contribute to build a stronger and better Canada.
I feel very much saddened Mr. Trudeau has gone, he is by every sense a national treasure and even more than that. Some day my husband and I will become proud Canadian, that is for sure.
Let's hope we have another Trudeau-like political figure in the near future. God bless Canada! Our condolence goes to his family and all Canadian. The only thought that soothe my sadness right
now is I picture Mr. Trudeau joining his beloved son Michel in heaven and angel-guiding Canada – a wonderful country he loved so much and superbly served for so many years.
Steven Chu & Katherine Yang
Coquitlam, BC
I am in Canada around one year. My little bit understanding saying, Trudeau
has given Canada a social, political and economical structure for that
reason we are here. Pierre Elliott Trudeau was the best son of Quebec who
placed French language not only in Canada but also in the world. I belive
His vision will be realized one day.
Akter Ul Alam
Montreal, Quebec
A Man. A Vision. A Nation.
Complex. Honest. Everlasting.
Immigrant first
Canadian Citizen Forever
Fatima Ferreira
You welcomed us with open arms.
You gave us self-confidence.
You gave us dignity.
And above all, you gave us freedom.
Merci, M. Trudeau.
Can D. Le
Vietnamese Canadian Federation
Fédération vietnamienne du Canada
He was the reason I chose to live in Canada.
He made Canada allow me in.
He gave us hope and strength to live together.
I've admired Pierre Elliot Truedau since 1968, I was seven then, living in Poland.
He influenced people everywhere, he Canada and other countries strive to be more understanding of others.
He will continue to be my guiding light.
Bogdan Markiel
Midhurst, Ontario
It was 1980 summer when I heard P.E. Trudeau speak in TV for the NO side of Quebec referendum. I heard him when I was in Ireland when I knew
basically nothing about Canada. He was speaking on a issue that had
much relevance to me. I am a Tamil from the State of Tamilnadu, India.
We have had similar misgivings of India as a Quebecor had about Canada.
But what I understood from his speech was that minorities can
fight for their rights without separating. Of course, for that to
happen, power sharing is important and he fought for that, especially
for the francophones. Thankfully that's what happened in India in the
last decade where Tamils and others were able to share power. I hope
that this power sharing will become permanent and equitable for the good
of all people. Of course, there is constant
threat to this ideal, now more from mega companies than mega countries!
On a personal level, I decided that if I wanted to leave India again to
another country Canada would be a good choice. I was confident that
with leaders like Trudeau it can't be a bad place for minorities. I have
lived here in Canada for nearly 20 years and I am happy I did that. But
just
like him I feel more and more a citizen of the world in these days of
global travel, communication, and economics. I wish that there will be
more
leaders like him both in Canada and in other parts of the world.
Thank you Mr. Trudeau!
K. Ponnambalam
Waterloo, Ontario
Thanks for the opportunity to remember. It was only today, after I
heard some of the other stories on CBC, that my mind travelled back
to 1968.
I immigrated to Canada from the States that June, two months after
the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr., and a day or two after
the assassination of Bobby Kennedy. I knew very little about Canada,
but on the plane I fervently prayed that in Canada the society would
be more diverse and the people much more open to diversity than what
I was leaving. I prayed that my vision of social and economic justice
would be shared by many and that it could become reality in my
lifetime.
Within my first few hours here I heard about Trudeaumania. For the
next decade and more it was Trudeau's words and ideas and actions,
and other people's responses to them, that painted the picture I had
of Canada beyond my immediate daily experience. This still wasn't the
promised land, but it was moving in a very exciting direction, and I
was glad to be here. One of my joys was in discovering a passion for
Canada that was quite different from self-centred American
nationalism.
No, I've never voted for Trudeau Liberals. There was another party
whose vision was closer to mine. But I thanked Trudeau for taking the
country as far as he did, so that even more really was possible.
Patsy Price
Edmonton, AB
It is rare that we ever have an opportunity to meet a leader like Trudeau: a man with charisma, intellect, and a passion for his beliefs. My life has been definitely shaped by this man's
thinking, leadership, initiative, and actions. As the first-born child of immigrants, I received my citizenship before my parents. My family had immigrated only a month before my birth from the
United States. It was the immigration policy of this man's government that opened the door to my parents. In opening this door to them, a door was opened for me to grow up in a land of opportunity.
I will forever think positively about Pierre Elliott Trudeau, and I will always have a deep respect for the man who made this country the greatest one on earth.
God bless Pierre Elliott Trudeau, and may he rest in peace.
Waleed G. Qirbi
Kanata, Ontario
We mourn with this country as we see a great men leave us. One who opened the doors for a little girl who came from a country that held her skin color against her.
Thank you, oh kind sir, you will be missed.
Mae Khamissa
Mr. Trudeau really defined what Canada means to me in so may ways. His goal of a just, tolerant and multi-racial country tied together by two founding nations (French and English) is eloquent in
a way that no words could properly do it justice. When my family arrived from Ceylon in 1973, we did not know what to expect. We came with nothing to our name and we had to build on the
foundations that were provided to us by Mr. Trudeau. At that time, many countries had closed door policies towards immigration (Australia's all-white only European policy of the 70s) Mr.
Trudeau took the opposite stance.
We struggled and over the last 27 years my parents and my brother and I have made our mark on the health and well-being of the nation that we call home. The opportunity that Mr. Trudeau
offered all immigrants was ahead of his time and it was because of him that Canada is what it is today. All of our cities have been enriched by all the cultures of the world that Trudeau himself
respected through his travels. He allowed Canadians to have the unique ability to allow the world to come to them.
Mr. Trudeau freed my family from the turmoil of my birthplace and his gift of Citizenship has permitted my brother to raise his two children in the country that Mr. Trudeau always dreamed of.
Canada is a better place for him. It has become the heart and the conscious of the world community.
I am so saddened by his passing that I am beside myself in my grief. At least I know that I have the support of the entire nation to share my feelings with. The mark that Mr. Trudeau left on the
country will never be forgotten. I can only hope that we see a politician that can match his accomplishments in the future. As the tears start to stream down once again, I can say that at least I
have the memories of a man that I grew up with. Many people have compared him to Gandhi and JFK. That is a comparison that I feel would humble him, but do him justice.
Merci, mon frere! Au revior! Adieu!
Zanio Jansz
Toronto, ON
On May 19, 1969, I applied for Landed Immigrant status at Lewiston, Ontario. I knew that the extradition treaty between Canada and the U.S. only applied to offences specifically named in the
treaty, and draft dodging was not named. I did not know that the Trudeau administration had just passed a regulation that applicants from the U.S. could not be asked why they were immigrating, or
what their draft status was. A few days earlier a draft dodger immigrant had tested the customs officials by applying at the border with a concealed tape recorder. The story was in the newspapers
that the officials were indeed complying with the regulations.
When I handed my application to the immigration official, he thanked me and asked, "And do you have a recorder, Sir?"
"A what?" I replied.
"Haven’t you heard the news?" He could not say anything to me directly, but he wanted to let me know that he knew exactly what I was doing.
"News about what?" I asked.
"Oh, about things," he answered amicably.
He knew that I knew that he knew the political nature of my move… but neither of us could say it.
I just shook my head and played dumb.
He smiled, signed my application, and welcomed me to Canada as a landed immigrant.
That event touched my life. I came to Canada because I had been drafted to serve in the Vietnam War. I knew I had done the right thing and felt welcomed by Canada as my new home.
I am fortunate to be included in the policies of multiculturalism and peacemaking. I became a Canadian citizen October 26, 1992, and voted on the Charlottetown Accord on the way home from the ceremony. Now I am gripped by sadness at the passing of Pierre Elliot Trudeau who had a significant impact on my life. I wish to express my heartfelt sympathy to his family.
Roger Coutts Umstead
Richmond Hill
Mr. Trudeau,
You were a savoir of millions of refugees like me. My parents brought me to life. You bought me from far away land to
become a proud Canadian.
From a Khmer Buddhist Temple in Ontario we pray for your soul resting in Nipean, where all Buddhists believe is a place of peace and serenity.
To Kim Thong
Toronto, Ontario
I knew that Trudeau was unwell. However, when Peter Mansbridge announced the
sad news of his death at 5:30 pm on CBC on Thursday, I felt I couldn't move.
It was such an emotional response that my children (ages 12 and 9) were
surprised.
My family immigrated from India in 1968 when my father joined the University
of Waterloo as a Professor in the Engineering department.
He really did inspire our generation. In fact my earliest memories of any
political figure are of Trudeau. We were privileged as young people to have
a role model who had such tremendous political convictions and intellectual
discipline. This is rare today. I can never forget seeing him, and listening
to his speech as a teenager at Waterloo Collegiate.
He was older than our fathers, but somehow was able to infatuate
young people with his vision for Canada.
I had to make a presentation in Malton yesterday evening at an assembly in
front of about 200 people on community involvement in public eduation –
they were mostly residents from newcomer communities. They had no idea of
the man who worked towards creating a multiracial, bilingual and united
Canada.
As first-generation immigrants we owe it to the newcomer
population to speak out about Trudeau and the impact he had on Canada re:
multiculturalism. They need to know.
I am glued to the CBC Radio – apparently in his last 10-15 years he was
very disciplined in his personal life, and was devoted to raising his sons
and reconciling with their mother. People closest to him indicate that he
could not get over his personal tragedy when he lost his youngest son.
Somehow I thought he would be strong enough to cope with that, but
apparently not. It's very sad. I don't think he was a happy man when he
died. Constitutional issues re: Quebec and his legacy in these historical
decisions would have been unresolved in his mind.
Anita K. Srinivasan
Toronto, ON
My message is on behalf of the Seychellois community in the Toronto area.
The majority of us came to Canada in 1972 from Uganda at the time when Idi
Amin was ravishing Uganda with his terror and exiled all communities from
other countries. We were forced to leave, one suit case each!
In the face of that, Mr. Trudeau found compassion and stretched out his
helping hands and opened the door to us, extending a warm welcome and
generosity beyond words. He may not have shown it but the welfare of all
people were in his heart, and he did reach out to those in need. As a
result of his actions other countries opened their doors to refugees and
thousand of people were saved from Idi Amin's reign of terror.
I was 15 years old, my brother 13 and my sister 5 days old. It was a scary
time. However Mr. Trudeau and his staff had every aspect of our trip and
arrival planned. We had left everything behind but were met with everything
in place to start a new life.
Today as we reminisce on that time we all are grateful to Mr. Trudeau for
saving us from the potential terror and danger and bringing us to a country
of New Hope.
We could not imagine what our lives would have been like!
Now we live in peace, our children live in peace and best of all because of
Mr. Trudeau we live in Canada.
Mr. Mansbridge, last night you asked why such a demonstration, similar to
that shown to the People's Princess. Yes, the answer may be in the question
but also that both had compassion, empathy and could reach out to people.
We extend our sincere condolences and prayers to his family in this sad
time.
Audrey Gappy
I've been struck by the number of immigrants who have written about our
late Trudeau. I emigrated to Canada from the United States in that
fractious year 1970. I was escaping turmoil on college campuses and the
disgrace of the Kent State killings. I wonder if born-Canadians understand
what a beacon Canada was to many young Americans at that time. Trudeau, we
heard, actually welcomed draft dodgers and his leadership inspired the many
people who helped male friends of mine, and even me, a young woman, enter
Canada. Someone who wasn't afraid to say what he thought, someone whose
actions were driven by his ideals and not expedience.
My fourteen year old asked me this morning why people are so sad that
Trudeau died. He was an old man, she reminded me. Yes, I agreed, he had
lived his life, longer than many. But it's just that he leaves such a big
hole, that we are so sorry to lose him and all he represented. I think we
also fear that with his loss something of the human potential he
demonstrated may be slipping away too. Thanks for holding this forum.
Mary Burns
Gibsons, B.C.
I was less than a year old when I came to Canada in 1970. During my
childhood, I knew Trudeau had the respect of my father. My father was a man
who loved all, but respected few. I did not learn much about Trudeau until
my late teens, then in law school upon learning about the Canadian
Constitution and Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Amazing ideals, but my
personal experiences made me wonder if these were achievements that were
token for many.
At times over the last few years, as a Sikh, I wondered if my Canadian
citizenship was a second class citizenship. There had been an unrelenting,
racist, and factually flawed media focus on Sikhs, essentially suggesting
those who maintain Sikh faith symbols were fundamentalists. This slander was
bought as regurgitated stories day after day in Conrad Black's Vancouver
papers for a couple of years. I knew many young Sikhs, born, and educated in
Canada who had to wonder about what the headline was as they stepped out of
their homes in the morning. This was 1999!
On September 28th, I had just come home from watching a trial in which an
otherwise polite judge, who was not just culturally insensitive, but
outwardly rude because of someone's ability to communicate in English. My
wife told me that Pierre Trudeau passed away when I got home.
Mr. Trudeau, I usually dismiss heroes of today's media, but you have made a
difference not only in my life but that of my kids. For this, I will
remember that Canada is my country as well, and I should struggle to learn
from and educate my fellow Canadians to make a better society. Thank you.
Amongst much pain, I can look to you for hope and be an optimistic Canadian,
determined to collectively refine the human spirit, we call Canada.
K. Singh
Vancouver
I came to Canada from South American in 1966 as a young college student and as I began to take interest in the political life of this great
country, it was Pierre Elliott Trudeau who inspired me and earned my respect. This weekend has been a time of emotional reflection for me
as I realized once again how great his contribution to this country is.
This morning, as I watched the coffin of Pierre Trudeau being moved into the waiting hearse on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, I sensed that even in death, this former prime minister causes the Canadian people to be united as they focus on the last 30 years of history in this country. As a people in a multicultural society, which Mr. Trudeau helped create, we may have diverse political and social loyalties, but
we agree on the fact that in this coffin is the body of a man who deserves our gratitude and respect. The media has allowed us to share in this farewell experience by bringing us visual images, commentaries and interviews which in some way highlighted the accomplishments of this former prime minister, his personal style, his vision and charisma and the influence he had on a whole generation of Canadians.
This morning as I watched the last journey from Ottawa to Montreal, I was overcome with compassion and grief for Mr. Trudeau's children. While we mourn the loss of a great leader, they know that inside that coffin is the body of their father. We hear much about the fact that Pierre Trudeau was a very private person. His sons more than anyone else have shared those private moments with him, when he played with them, listened to them, answered their questions, let them know that they were more important to him than anyone or anything else and that he cared deeply about their well-being. They knew he was there for them and they could go to him for advise or comfort any time. He was their father and nobody will ever take that place. My heart goes out to the children of Pierre Trudeau as his body is laid to rest.
Mary Friesen
Winnipeg, MB
I've been living 21 years in this country and I've never known Pierre Elliot
Trudeau. But I grew up in the warm embrace of his legacy, raised wide-eyed
and open minded because he allowed me - and encouraged me - to be so. He
brought politics and goverment down to earth while giving our dreams flight.
He was the strangest anomoly in our history, a friend more so than leader,
but he showed us how to be courageous, how to act and how to live life to
its fullest.
And though sadly, I never knew much about him till now, there now rests a
place in my heart for Mr. Trudeau.
Pierre, you've made a great impact on your generation, my generation and
every generation to come in Canada's future. Thank you for everything
you've done.
Vince Iannelli
Calgary, Alberta.
I came from India. Trudeau is my hero because of his vision on a "Just society, and equality for all." Thank you Pierre.
Chacko Kannikkatt
Great Whale River, Quebec
As a Chinese-Canadian senior, I watched with growing admiration and
enthusiasm for Trudeau as he became our Prime Minister and our world
statesman, using all his faculties and gifts to fight for his vision of
Canada and the world. His passing is huge because his legacy is even greater.
So let our tears now be our thanks for this man, and let me quote from Robert
Frost for him.
"…may no fate willfully misunderstand me and half grant what I
wish and snatch me away not to return. Earth's the right place for love: I
don't know where it's likely to go better. I'd like to go by climbing a birch
tree, and climb black branches up a snow-white trunk, towards Heaven, till
the tree could bear no more, but dipped its top and set me down again. That
would be good both going and coming back. One could do worse than be a
swinger of birches."
Rest in peace. I will not forget you or your vision.
Sincerely,
Shiu Do Wing
Burnaby, B.C.
It was 1968 and I was a high school student at King's College Budo in Uganda. Pierre Elliott Trudeau brought Canada into my consciousness in a way none of his two illustrious predecessors had done. I fell in love – with Canada,
with Trudeau, with the world beyond my little country.
His easy smile, his devastating intellect, his genuine love for humanity and human freedom, his obvious antipathy towards racism and all forms of discrimination, and his unapologetic invitation to citizens of other cultures, races and
religions to come to his land and share the adventure of being Canadian were a very powerful magnet that drew me to Canada.
When I landed on Canada's shores, I felt privileged that he was still in charge of this country. Since then my admiration for him has only grown deeper, for he was a true citizen, and a leader, of the world. Yes he was the first African, Asian, Arab, Jewish... prime minister of Canada.
Trudeau made me feel welcome to this country. Though other political leaders have tried to make me feel unwelcome to this country, because of Pierre Elliott Trudeau I can still say with great pride that I AM A CANADIAN.
Three men have stood at the very front of the line of great leaders of my time. Julius Kambarage Nyerere of Tanzania is gone. Pierre Elliott Trudeau of Canada is gone. Only Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela of South Africa is left.
Dr. Muniini K. Mulera
Newmarket, Ontario
Thank you for what you have done for our country, you made us known to the world as a democratic country, a tolerant society with equal opportunities where we are all treated fairly no matter what our origins are.
As a member of visible minority, we came from Vietnam in 1975 at the end of the war, we have now adapted Canada as our beloved country and are proud to say "I am Canadian." You now left us to conquer another world where you will make
your presence felt as you have all your life.
Good bye and bon voyage Pierre.
Tuan Trang Ha
I am sad to hear that Pierre Elliott Trudeau has passed
away on September 28, 2000. It was exactly 30 years
ago wthen I entered Canada to pursue my dream for a
better life. He opened the door for me and for other
hardworking immigrants. He always promised us a
great life in this beautiful country. Trudeau built Canada
strong, free and kept our dollar high. He was not
materialistic. He kept taxes low enough for us to build
our families. Now there is no future for our younger
generation. Trudeau maintained multiculturalism by
keeping everyone equal. He was a big peace maker
and not a wrecker. He never gave up Canada to anyone.
Trudeau made his own decisions and did not let neighbours
influence him. He loved us, cared for us (young or old),
made us strong and unified, and helped us. We didn't
have too much homelessness then. Trudeau was an
intelligent, smart, and ambitious man. We need someone
like him again to help us succeed, grow and be happy.
We lost a great leader and best politician in history.
I will miss him as long as I live.
Thank you for all that you did for us,
Nada Zlatanovic
Pierre Trudeau was the greatest world leader I have ever known. When we
were kicked out by Idi Amin of Uganda in 1972, M. Trudeau opened Canda's
arms to welcome us. We were the first of the refugees to benefit from
his enlightened, visionary leadership. History will judge him to be a
great Canadain icon and hero. May God rest his soul in peace.
Gulzar Shivji,
Richmond BC
Every 100 years or so, a country gets a Winston Churchill, a JFK and a Gandhi… Pierre Trudeau was Canada's.
Growing up in India in the 60's and 70's Pierre Trudeau was the embodiment of every thing that was bold and beautiful in this country and very much a part of my reason to come here.
Today, as Pierre Trudeau lies in state, I know that what was true twenty or thirty years ago still holds good. He gave to Canada on the international political platform, a charisma and character that had never been done and has never been duplicated since.
Heather and Gordon Martin
Delta, B.C.
We love you papa!
You will always be our great papa. Thank you for opening the door for all
immigrants we will always remember you may you rest in peace.
Keeran Jagnanan
(and every immigrants whose life who you have opened and made better)
Also from my family. We will miss you dearly.
As a young immigrant to Canada from Portugal, a dictatorship regime with
Salasar at the helm, we were not encourage to discuss politics or even
to have an opinion. Then in Canada, the introduction to a democracy that
was open for discussion in all walks of life, we found in former Prime
Minister Trudeau, a leader with charm, intelligence and conviction of a
"vision" of Canada that was beyond the acceptable standards of the time.
It was always a pleasure to listen to his interviews with the late
Barbara Frum, you could see at times, the spark of their very strong
personalities. Our family wishes to convey our deepest sympathies to the Trudeau
family.
With deep respect.
Jose, Teresa and Anateresa Mendes
To Justin & Sacha and Sarah:
The passing of your father is a tragic loss to our country and devastating to so many of us who idolized him because of his intellect and philosophy on life and politics.
My family and I arrived in Canada as refugees in 1972 and had it not been for the Right Honourable Pierre Trudeau Prime Minister of Canada, drawing world attention to the atrocities taking place in Idi Amin's Uganda, I and so many others would not have been in this country today.
Despite roadblocks by Idi Amin, your father arranged to have Air Canada airplanes fly into Uganda and evacuate many of us in October and November 1972. Your father's compassion and his ability to intervene on behalf of the persecuted, the underprivileged and unjustly treated, is just one of the hallmark's of his greatness. There are many.
Please accept our condolences on this very sad occasion. We share deeply in your grief and sorrow and I want you to know that your father has been and will continue to be a source of inspiration to me and my family always.
Louis Coutinho and Family
Halifax, Nova Scotia
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