Pierre Trudeau's Life And Accomplishments

“I have never looked back at my mistakes, except to make sure I would not repeat them,” said Pierre Trudeau (15) (page 38). Trudeau was born on October 18, 1919, to Charles-Émile Trudeau and Grace Elliot. Trudeau grew up in Outremont, Montreal with sister, Suzette Rouleau and brother, Charles Trudeau Jr. (12). Trudeau studied at Jean-de-Brébeuf and at the University of Montreal, where he received a law degree in 1943. Trudeau became a Liberal politician and in 1968, was elected as the 15th Prime Minister of Canada. Trudeau’s first term ended in 1979, but he was elected again in 1980 (13). He was responsible for uniting Canada from coast-to-coast, advancing and developing multiple key aspects of Canada, and passing major laws; therefore, Pierre

It was during Trudeau’s second term as Canada’s Prime Minister, when Part One of The Constitution Act of 1982 was passed. Part One of The Constitution Act 1982 was designed to make Canada a more contented and joined country. Part One included the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which prevents the Federal, Territorial and Provincial governments from violating Canadian rights and freedoms. Section 15 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms also “ensures the equal protection and benefit of the law without discrimination based on race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, age or mental or physical disability.” and Section 28 “guarantees that all rights covered in the Charter apply equally to men and women.” (Government of Canada) (7). By passing Part One of The Constitution Act of 1982, the citizens of Canada were deemed to be more equal, thus making Canada a more united country. As well, Part Two and Three of The Constitution Act 1982 were also passed during Trudeau’s second term. Part Two ensures the current rights of the Aboriginal peoples of Canada. Part Three “recognizes the federal government’s practice since the 1950s of providing equalization payments to poorer provinces to

During Trudeau’s second term as Canada’s Prime Minister, he protected key human rights. On July 14th, 1976, Government Bill C-84 was passed (4). This bill proposed the abolishment of the death penalty. Although the first attempt at abolishing the death penalty was made in 1914, Trudeau was the only Prime Minister whose efforts were successful. “The death penalty is cruel, inhuman and degrading and breaks two crucial human rights: the right to live and the right to live free from torture.” (Amnesty International) (1). By eliminating the death penalty in Canada, Trudeau protected the right to live, and the right to live free from torture; two of the most significant human rights. The abolishment of the death penalty in Canada also led to a more optimistic justice system for criminals. The justice system no longer punished people by taking their life. Criminals were now allowed to better themselves while serving their time rather than being killed in a ‘humane’ way. Canada’s justice system was redesigned in an effort to rehabilitate criminals and release them as better people. Abolishing the death penalty led to a more developed justice system and made jail-time more hopeful for criminals. Trudeau also made Canada look better in the eyes of other countries (8). After abolishing the death penalty, other countries looked at Canada as a more humane