Love Him or Hate Him
Pierre
I loved you and hated you.
I loved you for saying
"Just watch me" and
"Canadas' unity
will not be fractured."
I hated you for causing the climate that required
both statements.
– Chris Lynch |
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Your responses:
(This letter is in response to one written by Phillip H. Walker, which can be found by scrolling down.)
Your recollections of Trudeau's National Energy Policy are not how I remembered it – and I was directly and financially
effected by the policy.
Trudeau under the NEP placed a cap on the price of oil being pumped in Canada in order to deliver cheap prices in Central and Eastern
Canada. All petroleum-based companies were affected, not just the American ones who incidentally employ hundreds of thousands of Canadians
directly and indirectly. The result of the cap on prices was the movement of exploration capital by ALL companies to other countries which
did not have a cap. This caused a huge loss in jobs in Alberta – far in excess of that experienced by the East Coast fishermen when the
cod stocks went away.
Yes, Trudeau gave us PetroCanada, and today though it is mostly privately owned we are still paying at the pumps for it. By all accounts
in the oil patch he was soaked royally for it but he bought it anyway to advance his policies. The tax imposed to purchase the assets for
PetroCanada has never been removed. Did it result in "fairer" oil prices? Why don't you drive by a PetroCanada and compare it to Shell or
Esso?
Trudeau's adventures in the West were an unmitigated DISASTER. He was an arrogant, ivory-tower academic who I doubt ever worked for an
honest (non-government-supplied) dollar in his life. He is largely responsible for why almost no Liberals will be voted in here much as
Brian is responsible for the formation of the Alliance Party and the absence of Conservatives west of the Maritimes.
I'm certainly glad he is gone, though his ghost lives on in our opportunistic current Prime Minister.
Vince Mullan
Calgary, Alberta
Since the passing of M. Trudeau, I have read with some amusement the
writings of those (both journalists and citizens) who would use criticism
of Trudeau's policies as a means to besmirch his reputation as a Prime
Minister, and as a person. The very nature of government is such that no
political figure is ever capable of instituting policies which please
everyone. As such, post-hoc debate over the effectiveness of Trudeau-era
policies is a nearly pointless exercise. While no one can argue the fact
that a large deficit was accumulated by the Liberals of the 1970's,
Trudeau himself admitted that the priority for his government was
establishing a just and equal society for all Canadians, be they French or
English, men or women, immigrants or natives, rich or poor. But this was
an admission of pride, not of guilt. As a person, and as a leader, Trudeau
was uncompromosing in his principles, and relentless in the pursuit of his
vision for a strong, diverse, and united Canada. He was one of the very
few Prime Ministers (and certainly the most recent) to govern with a dream
for our nation, and this alone qualifies him as one of the true heroes in
Canadian history. I was only 11 when he resigned in 1984, but I will never
forget his closing words to the Liberal convention: "...Our dreams, for
this beautiful country, will never die."
From just one of the millions of
Canadians you touched, merci Monsieur Trudeau. May your memory live
forever.
Mr. Naveen Deshpande
Oakville, Ontario
Give me a break. What a bunch of hypocrits. I wonder why we don't have more unfortunate people of Cuba here in Canada. Freedom? What freedom do they have? My father fought in the field against the Germans in Holland then against the Communists in Korea! Where was Trudeau? How soon we forget. How soon I will forget.
My father is a Canadian and a Hero. Let's put things into perspective.
Jane MacLeod
daughter of War Hero Albert Alexander Hamilton MacLeod
whose name is upheld with honour
I am a Canadian who has lived in Alberta all my 69 years. Our family
was visiting Ottawa in 1967 when PET was on the rise. We followed his
progress first hand for a few weeks there and ever since. He has always
ranked first in my mind and heart. A truly great Canadian leaded and
statesman.
I credit him with the major lead in constitution repatriation and human
rights legislation as well as his vision of fairer Canada where we must
all share the load.
In regard to the famous NEP, I do not share the tirade that emanates
from Alberta politicians, corporations and the press that it caused
Alberta's economic slump. I have never heard the 'proof' that it was
the so called cause of these problems.
As I understand it, in 1957 the Diefenbaker Government, with pressure
from the U.S., decreed that Alberta oil would flow only east to Ontario
and south to the U.S. and the area east of the Ottawa River would be
supplied wt. lower priced off shore crude from Venezuela.
In 1973, the OPEC doubling of crude costs caused problems for Canada;
Canadians did not want to pay such high prices.
In response, the Federal Government brought in the NEP.
(1) They froze the price of Canadian oil products. This limited the
profits of the US oil companies and the royalties for Alberta.
(2) They set up Petro Canada.
(3) They increased Federal taxes in two ways by (a) disallowing royalty
deductions and by increasing royalty rates as and attempt to divert
funds to subsidize Eastern Canadians who now had to pay higher prices
for off shore oil – this was costing the Feds around $3 billion per
year.
(At the same time, Premier Loughheed raised the Albert royalties to
enhance Alberta's Heritage Fund.)
The NEP gave Canadians a lower price for gas and oil. (witness today
when there is a cry for lower priced oil and gas.)
The biggest opposition to it was from the oil companies which were based
in the US and were opposed to the 'back in' proposal to give Petro
Canada a 25% holding on all new oil reserves discovered in the northern
part of Canada and the freeze on Alberta oil prices. This was taken up
in Washington as a result of the oil Corporations pressure and a great
deal of pressure was put on Ottawa. The interesting thing about the
times was that concurrent with the NEP, oil stocks in the U.S. climbed ,
resulting in much increased wealth for the stockholders, so it was not
as harmful to the U.S. as the alarmists said.
It is also noted that Peter Lougheed was as happy as Trudeau over the
final signing of the NEP. Both governments were happy with the amount
of royalties which were geared to flow into the government coffers,
particularly with the prospect of higher oil prices.
The fact that world oil price did not continue to climb was the real
cause of the downturn in the economy. The real truth of the matter is
that not only did Alberta's oil based economy falter, but so did the oil
based economies in Oklahoma and Texas take a downturn.
I think it is high time that the truth about the effects of the NEP are
properly and fairly analyzed and put in the public domain. I sincerely
hope that the history experts in our society, be they with the CBC or
others, will take up this matter before long. I am getting tired of
hearing the time worn diatribe put out in the so called name of
westerners mainly by our Alberta Government in its attempt to make us
alienated from the Federal Government.
Phillip H. Walker
Edmonton, AB
Being born in the late seventies I have little first hand memories of Mr. Tredeau. Perhaps
the earliest memory I have of hearing his name is hearning my dad say to the cashier "Oh yes,
the tax - I forgot Mr. Tredeau needs our money." Pierre Tredeau's name was never associated
with heroism, pride, or honour in our family. Rather words such as immoral, arrogant, and
irresponsible.
But he had a grand vision of Canada didn't he? Didn't he transform Canadian society from
a backward culture into a progressive and contemporary nation? What about multiculturalism?
Bilingualism? Wern't these grand endevours that moved our country forward?
Well when pick up the paper today, when I walk the streets of rural Quebec, when I hear the
bitterness in the voices of Western Canadians, I see first hand the "vision" of Mr. Tredeau. I don't
see a united Canada. I see pain, frustration, social decay, and the lack of true leadership. So
were a progressive culture now... At what cost – the cost of hundreds of lives of unborn children
due to Tredeau's pro-choice policies, the fracturing of English and French Canadians as a result
of forced bilingualism, the complete isolation of the West and the raping of her resources through
the NEP?
Sure I will agree that Mr. Tredeau was a passionate man and that he had a passionate vision
for Canada. But that in no way excuses the moral implications and error of that vision. Passion
and patriotism are not the standards for heroism and honour. It is time that we have leaders who
believe in principle over position, power and prestige. It does not take a very wise person to realize
that I and my children, and their children after them will be paying for Mr. Tredeau's mistakes. Let's
stop venerating a man who was far from a true Canadian hero and begin to search our own hearts
for the courage to lead our nation from a principled and moral standpoint.
Truth is truth even if no one believes it
A lie is a lie even if everyone believes it
Right is right even if no one does it
Wrong is wrong even if everybody does it
Sincerely Yours
Kelly Hart
Kenville, Manitoba
To those who only have negative words & thoughts, please follow these instructions:
1. apply for a passport
2. go away for five years
3. let your passport expire
4. don't renew it
5. stay where you are
6. don't come back
Mr. Trudeau made Canada a better place, what have you accomplished? Pierre Elliot Trudeau was proud to tell the Americans to take a hike, what have you done? Pierre Elliot Trudeau put Canada before his own interests, unlike other caretakers of the land. I suppose you think Brian was good for this country? All you negative people with the blinders on, rejoice and remember to vote then you can start your bellyaching all over again. Mr. Trudeau is safe, and having a great chuckle!
Suzanne Cole
Edmonton, AB.
I am afraid I do not share the rosy view of Pierre Eliot Trudeau that many Canadians do.
I just watched him be autocratic and arrogant to Quebec, the West and Parliament (he himself made MPs into nobodies) and anyone who
ever disagreed with him.
I am amazed, however, at the outpouring of grief from his supporters and how people are moved to express themselves from the heart, online
and in line.
I fervently wish that these powers of expression could become day to day powers beyond awesome occasions and that people across Canada
could engage in dialogue, not monologue.
Paul Nielson
I admit I was not a fan of Mr. Trudeau during his reign, he was someone you either loved or hated. In reflection, no one can deny the impact he has left on our country, it's politics and the lasting
legacy of his decision-making. His efforts in making Canada a better place to live are unequalled. Our image as a compassionate, free-thinking nation, is largely a result of his leadership, efforts and
policies.
In the field of battle even the most jaded of warriors pauses to ponder the merits of a fallen opponent.
Adieu, Mr. Prime Minister may you find the peace in heaven that you helped to try and create on earth.
Rob McGregor
Surrey, B.C.
Trudeau was the most disastrous leader Canada has ever had. I
utterly fail to see why an arrogant, self-important, person who
singlehandedly caused such incredible unity problems for Canada,
and who very likely sealed Canada's fate as America's 51st state
with his individualistic Charter of Wrongs is being praised so highly.
Of course, I can't blame only Trudeau, but the fact remains, that he
led Canada into adopting a second-class version of the American
Constitution and he WILL bear the responsibility of Canada's loss
of its unique identity. Yes, we can pay respects, but let's be
honest – Pierre Elliot Trudeau was a monumental disaster for
Canada.
James Wirrell
I first became aware of Mr. Trudeau in the early 1980's as a high school
student. To be honest at this period of my life, my political awakening so
to speak, I did not like the man. I thought Trudeau was arrogant, it
infuriated me that he could so easily dance around his opponents in
Parliament and make them look foolish.
But over time the mans real brilliance began to appear to me, his vision,
his drive, his commitment to our country, one country. Thank you Mr. Trudeau you planted in me a fascination for our politics. It has been a privilege to have lived through your time with us as leader.
Steven Wardle
Trudeau was a true statesman and a brilliant politician. He was arguably the brightest prime minister we as a nation have ever had. He had vision, determination, courage and confidence.
In reflecting on him as a person, however, I am left asking myself whether in his public service to this nation he was a virtuous leader. I don't know. All I can say is that his arrogance and impatience was a great disappointment. There was no excuse.
His governments' policies remain controversial. During his prime ministership we, as Canadians, elevated tolerance to a virtue. Easy divorces, gambling, and sodomy became tolerable. We may have been creating a "just society" but was it a righteous society pleasing to God?
Garth Low
I hesitate to write this letter as it may be the only one that isn't complimentary. I was 17 years old when Mr Trudeau was elected as prime minister. We lived on a farm in southwestern Ontario and were poor as were most of our neighbours. My parents thought that the new Liberal government under Mr Trudeau, with their "spend out of depression" plans, would solve the problems of the country and provide jobs for everyone.
Thirty-two years later, not much has changed where I grew up, except that fewer people live there and we, the children of his admirers, struggle to cope with the monstrous
debt, the metric system, and other idealogical policies that were forced upon us.
Gary Whitson
All I remember of him are high debt; the metric dollar and the NEP, not
to mention the thousands of lost jobs and careers; including mine.
Michael Pott
Calgary
As I read the comments from individuals across this land I think back to me
own experience's of the man. Mostly I simply loved to hate him...rarely did I
ever agree with any of his political agendas, nor did I ever vote for him in
any election, as I was a westerner and I hated what he was doing to it.
I grew up with this man on the TV and would often yell at the screen saying
"What the hell is he doing to us now?!" However, after travelling across
this vast land from coast to coast on several occasions, I now understand
the vision he had of Canada. Canada is as diverse a land of cultures and
peoples as any I have ever encountered.
Love him or hate him, he united us without compromise. He was hated in the
West and loved in the East. However on the world stage he put us all in a
light that no other country can claim. He stood up for Canada and let it be
known to the world that we, as Canadian's would not bow down to our
political allies because they were bigger or stronger than we were. He had
unwavering integrity and love of this land and its peoples, all its
peoples.
For that he will be sorrowfully missed. Rest in Peace, Mr. Trudeau.
Roger Clary
Calgary, Alberta
Zap your frozen! And we're still paying off the debt he racked up.
Dean Purcell
MacTier, Ontario
Pierre Elliot Trudeau was a good and great politician and his times in Ottawa will be remembered by legions and for eons, but Good God, the children of my grand children will still be paying for the cost of such flamboyant greatness.
Jacques Lecompte
A realistic taxpayer
As an immigrant, I arrived on these shores before Mr. Trudeau came to power. I
feel sadly that he has passed on (as we all must do one day), however I read
all the praise that has been heaped upon him, some of it worthy, most not.
I saw this man split this great country in two, French against English, East
against West, I saw as he turned the USA and Canada against each other. I
saw him insult the Queen of England insult the West more than once and
ignore the will of the people on many an issue. To me he is not the icon the
Canadian people seem to want to make him out to be. His policy on the
National Energy Program cost myself and many other westerners their jobs and
there pensions. As a Canadian, he is no hero of mine and certainly not the
best we have aver had, but I am saddened at his passing, and my sympathies
go out to his family.
Mr. John Berringer
It's Monday morning and the inevitable question comes up: "How was your weekend?."
"Fine thanks" I reply, by rote.
But I'm not OK, far from it.
I never voted for the man, never even voted for his party, thought he was a bit too arrogant, a bit too rich and bit too flamboyant for my central Canadian WASP tastes.
But today I now realize that most of my political beliefs (inclusion, justice, tolerance) come from his legacy. With him gone, there is part of me that is missing. I am so very proud to be a product of his legacy and so very proud to be Canadian.
There's a hole in my heart today and it really hurts. It has taken all this time to realize his role in my life and it's now gone.
Jim Brown
Mr. Trudeau was a scoundrel, not entirely perhaps, but a scoundrel nevertheless. It is an unfortunate commentary on the moral fabric of Canadian society that too many Canadians have no moral discernment and so in their comments regarding him seem totally oblivious to the ruin that he brought upon our society as leader of this nation.
One of the virtues that the former Prime Minister valued was that of speaking his mind. This is then what I want to do at this time – speak my mind, though I realize that many readers will not have the stomach to hear the truth.
We read again and again of Mr. Trudeau that he was a nonconformist, liked fast cars, had sex appeal, kissed the women and so on, and it would seem that these things have been more prized than anything else about the man. Since these have become the values of much of Canada, the influence of the sixties being great upon our values, it is not hard to see why there was Trudeaumania and still a strong following today. The heroes of our time have too often been those that were willing to break the rules: the Beatles, Princess Diana, Elvis, Tina Turner, Mick Jagger, and the list is endless.
And what of Trudeau's legacy, for there are those who are quick to say that he has made Canada what it is today? But, let us see, do we have the just society that he championed?
We have a huge teen pregnancy problem where the males have abandoned the young mothers. And we have a huge divorce rate and rampant infidelity Trudeau was attractive because he was a freewheeling playboy.
Our Liberal government now penalizes the traditional family and favours giving the same rights to sodomites and lesbians. Trudeau opened the way through his omnibus bill which among other atrocities allowed for the decriminalization of homosexual acts and acts of "gross indecency" between a man and his wife.
Trudeau is hailed as great for introducing the Charter of Rights and Freedoms but this charter has more rights (about 60) that favour the criminal and a paltry few that speak to the victim (less than a handful, I believe). No wonder that only a few years ago the great Canadian novelist, Robertson Davies, said that there are more rights for the criminal than for the victim (a sentiment echoed just recently by a police officer that I spoke to). The upshot, grief and fear in many Canadian homes but birthday parties and free university for some of Canada's most notorious.
Thanks to Mr. Trudeau, Canada's national debt skyrocketed and so began the huge debt load for Canada's future generations.
I think that a great leader is measured by how he treats those he leads, even the individual. I cannot admire a man that gave the finger three times to the Hugheses who expressed their minds over Mr. Trudeau's not practising what he preached when he told Canadians to do with less but himself did not live accordingly. How could he ever expect Canadians to treat each other with decency if he was not able to do so himself.
When we eat we practice discrimination by rejecting the good from that which is poisonous or toxic. Why as a nation have we left off doing the same thing in the area of morals? We are in a moral mess because we fail to discriminate and we do not think deeply about what we do accept. In our touchy feely society it is too easy to heap on praises because the facts have been at last forgotten or have all this time been overlooked, "well because he was sexy, and a modern man, and stylish and so on."
Geoff Casey
Winnipeg
The passing of Mr. Trudeau provides mixed emotions. One is the respect for
the position he occupied and some of the positive effects of the vision he
had for Canada and how they were implemented.
On the other hand, for every political action, there are choices. Some
choices create winners and some create losers. The National Energy Plan
directly contributed to my father's bankruptcy which ultimately led to his
premature death.
It may be that a higher power will weigh the good of his actions against the
harm his actions caused. I am just left with the thought that the legacy of
greatness is not all good.
J. Macintosh
Vancouver
I wish I knew you better, Mr. Trudeau.
I was too hard on you, didn't like your style. You came across as arrogant
to me (a benevolent dictator). But you were a voice of reason and sanity during a time of chaos. I was an elementary student when I lived in the Montreal area during the October
Crisis ‹ times were tense. You, Mr. Trudeau, denounced violence and stood by
the courage of your convictions. You dedicated your life to keeping English and French Canadians, indeed Canadians of all ethnic backgrounds, together. You saluted Canada, and for that I salute you.
You are dearly missed.
John Tollefsrud
North Bay, Ontario
Sometimes I loved him, sometimes I hated him,
Sometimes I voted for him, sometimes I voted against him,
Sometimes I agreed with his policies, sometimes I didn't,
I always respected him,
And I was always proud of him.
Barry Walsh
This was the pompous, arrogant person who thought that he was in touch with the common Canadian. This was the same person who shoved bilingualism and metric measurement down all of our throats. He made it law that we use it and if we
Canadians dared to use the old measurement system we could be arrested. The same man who invoked the War Measures Act which took away all types of freedom for all Canadians from coast to coast because of problems in the province of
Quebec. The same man who fought an election on his promise to never freeze wages as the Conservatives proposed and then very promptly froze all wages and envoked the AIB, (Anti-inflationary Board). The same man who stood by an
incompetent Bank of Canada and watched as rates went up to close to 20%. More people lost their house and became ruined while this man ran the country. When asked about all of this the response that he gave the press was just, "Fuddle
Duddle" It is a wonder that the man wasn't shot. Come Canadians, wake up. He was the very worse!
Doug Long
Trudeau was detested almost universally in the West. His concerns were mostly the same as every other Quebec and Eastern-born prime minister – keep getting re-elected by taking the West's wealth to buy votes in the East. The same Ontario-Quebec based imperialism practised since Macdonald.
Canada a democracy? Ho, ho, ho!
He certainly won't be missed in the West, though no one takes any pleasure in his death.
Todd Sauve
I want to add my comments and as far as I'm concerned Pierre Trudeau won't
be missed by Alberta.
He screwed the province as a result of the National Energy Program, sucking
millions out of this province and was concerned about this province as much
as a groin kick. His arrogance as a political leader incensed many people
here.
Canada didn't lose a great political leader. We lost a member of Canada,
that's all.
Gary Miles
Calgary
I'm sorry, but I don't share the feelings of your other contributors.
Trudeau raped Alberta and then gave us a collective middle finger. No, I'm sorry, good riddance. Mr. Trudeau, you ruined the lives of a lot of good people. And I, for one, am not sad to see you go!
Keith Miracle
Calgary
Pierre I loved you and hated you.
I loved you for saying "Just watch me" and "Canadas' unity will not be fractured."
I hated you for causing the climate that required both statements.
Your Country will be poorer for your passing and I will remain confused as to which I should do. Love you or hate you.
rest in peace.
Chris Lynch
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