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Prehistory | 2 Worlds Meet | New France | England Arrives | Clash of Empires | Revolution | British America | Reform/Revolt | Responsible Government | Confederation | Nation Building | Laurier | The Great War | Roaring 20's | Great Depression | WWII | The Peace | Cold War | Trudeau | PC's in Power | Modern Canada
3 Wisemen | Trudeaumania | October Crisis | Bilingualism | Petro Canada | 72 Super Series | Wage & Price Controls | 1976 Olympics | PQ Comes to Power | Interlude | Western Alienation | 1980 Referendum | The Constitution | Changing of the Guard
1968 marked a watershed in Canada.
Prime Minister Pearson recognized the power of French nationalism in
Quebec. Canada would have to make drastic changes in the mosaic and
makeup of the country to accommodate changing demands across the
land. This change required action and the Liberals started by
recruiting star Federalist candidates in Quebec and presenting them
to the country as sincere proof of a new direction.
Pierre
Trudeau was made minister of Justice and Trudeau-mania sweep the
nation. A new Liberal period of government began an Trudeau became
the leader of the country for a generation. This period was
turbulent and disruptive with overwhelming economic challenges and
political forces that took the country to the brink of
disintegration. Alienation of traditional voters also spread and the
political fragmentation of the country resulted in a highly
Polarized electoral landscape.
Ironically the final step towards complete statehood was also achieved during this period with the repatriation of the constitution and the creation of a Charter of Rights and Freedoms. It was a period of experimentation, fractured fellowship, strong nationalistic feelings, alienation, and loss of confidence, but Canada emerged from this time intact and progressive.
