Pierre Trudeau: The Man Who Shaped Canadian Identity

Since World War I, the Prime Minister who has contributed most to shaping Canada’s identity is Pierre Trudeau. He was in office from 1968 to 1984, governing Canada for a total of fifteen years. This time in office gave Trudeau many opportunities to change Canada politically, economically and socially.

He was known as an influential and charismatic speaker who created many acts and policies that have made Canada the amazing country it is today. Trudeau’s laws supported social freedom, cultural diversity and access to healthcare. At the same time, his time as leader left the country with significant economic instability. Pierre Trudeau is the Prime Minister who has contributed most to shaping Canada’s identity. He created social policies; enacted the Canadian Health Act; developed the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and altered Canada’s economy most significantly.

Pierre Trudeau had a very positive effect on Canada’s social climate. By creating Canada’s Official Languages Act in 1969, he designated this country bilingual. Trudeau made it possible for all citizens to access federal services in their language of choice, bringing a feeling of inclusiveness to French speaking Canadians. He recognized Quebec’s value for Canada and used his bilingualism policy to discourage Quebec from becoming isolated. Similarly, Trudeau improved Canada’s social environment by creating the multiculturalism policy; rendering Canada a most welcoming country; striving for diversity.

This policy promotes respect for other cultures and enables people to create their own cultures within the Canadian society. Multiculturalism helps citizens understand one another and discourages hatred and violence. Canada now welcomes people of all religions and beliefs without prejudice and encourages racial and ethnic peace. Pierre Trudeau recognized the values and importance of people of all races, ethnic groups, languages and religions, and their possible contribution to Canada’s prosperity.

The Canadian Health Act of 1984 is one more example of social progress achieved by Trudeau. It is a part of the federal law and puts in place conditions to allow funding for healthcare services across Canada. The purpose of the act is to help Canadian residents so they can be at their physical and mental best without the worry of financial burden. Canada’s healthcare system is envied by many countries around the world. The Canadian Health Act; the Official Languages Act and the multiculturalism policy are all evidence of Pierre Trudeau’s contributions to Canada’s social evolution. These laws have helped create the peaceful, diverse and compassionate country that Canada is today.

Trudeau impacted Canada politically with his development of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms in 1982. Before it was put into place, other laws including the Canadian Bill of Rights protected people's freedoms and rights but were deficient in permanence and supremacy because they were not a part of the Canadian Constitution. As the patriation of Canada’s Constitution from British Parliament took place, Trudeau decided to include a new Charter into the Constitution because the present laws were inadequate. Section three of the Charter highlights voting changes, in which Trudeau consolidates voting rights of women, Japanese Canadians, aboriginals, etc. into one section of the Charter. Section one of the Charter conveys that all basic rights and freedoms that preserve Canada as a democratic and free country are protected (e.g., the right to live, find employment anywhere in Canada and fundamental freedoms, etc.).

It is these rights that help make Canada a safe and free country. For these reasons Canada is viewed internationally as a desirable place to live. Section fifteen states, there is guaranteed equality for every Canadian. This means no discrimination based on race, religion, sex, age, etc. As a country of equals, Canada sets an example for other countries who are still developing. Equal access to education promotes opportunities for exploration and invention which lead to a productive and strengthened country. In this way Canada is a role model worldwide.

Although Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau succeeded with improving Canada socially and politically, he failed to succeed with Canada economically. Before his time in office Canada was very strong economically, but by the time he retired it was debilitated. Trudeau’s fifteen years in office caused a substantial increase in inflation due to his government’s public spending regimen. The spending rate of the federal government increased over twenty percent of GDP, and there were many bankruptcies due to the expanding interest rates the government could not afford to pay.

The international debt rating eventually failed, and the national debt increased by seven hundred percent. In the 1980s recession, the employment rate and labor force involvement dramatically decreased, which was a contributing factor to the poor economy. In 1980 Trudeau and his government created the National Energy Program (NEP). While Alberta was very rich in oil supplies, Ontario and Quebec lacked such a resource. The government created the NEP to obtain control over Alberta’s oil supplies, thus sharing its wealth throughout the country.

The escalating oil prices and the depleting oil supplies of countries such as the US, resulted in the Liberal government forcing Alberta’s oil prices down for sale to Ontario and Quebec. This made Albertans angry about their loss of wealth to the rest of Canada, when they could be selling high priced oil to America. Western Canada started to loathe the East and the liberal government and thought of the National Energy Program as a government money grab.

After the NEP was put in place, Alberta’s economy’s bankruptcy rate increased 150%, which is why the NEP is known as one of the greatest economic interventions of Canada since WWII. A country’s economy is a major part of its identity. As is evident, Pierre Trudeau made a huge impact on Canada’s identity, economically. Enough of an impact that it took over thirty years for the Prime Ministers after him to restore the strong, former economy Canada once had.

Pierre Trudeau has done more to shape the identity of Canada since WW1 than any other Prime Minister. His laws and policies have helped shape Canada socially by effecting cultural diversity and language, while the Canadian Health Act enabled all Canadian residents to have access to health care. Trudeau’s policies on bilingualism and multiculturalism, have left Canada unified with a feeling of inclusiveness and welcoming.

His political accomplishment with the Charter of Rights and Freedoms have reinforced equality and the rights for all people, making Canada respected internationally.9 Lastly, his impact on the economy was both significant and unfortunate; he left the country bankrupt.11 Pierre Elliot Trudeau was in power for fifteen years; enough time to deeply effect Canada socially, politically and economically. He is the Prime Minister of Canada who has done the most to impact its identity.