Social Studies 10 Lessons

By Gen L.

Lesson 3: PM Trudeau (1979-1984)

Clark's Collapse

• 1979: an election year, people wanted change.
• Led by Joe Clark, a Conservative minority gov't was elected.
• But, Clark tried a bold budget to raise taxes and cut spending.
• The budget was defeated. Clark's gov't collapsed after only 9 months.

Trudeau's Return

• 1980: Trudeau returned with a majority gov't. The National Energy Program (NEP) was introduced.
• The NEP promoted oil self-sufficiency & 50% Canadian ownership by 1990.
• It established a Crown Corporation: Petro-Canada (Yep, Petro-Canada was formerly owned by the gov't. I didn't believe it at first as well.)
• It increased taxes on exports & set price controls on oil prices.

The NEP

• There was one problem: The NEP benefited central Canada, but hurt western Canada. (You know, where all the Canadian oil comes from?)
• Trudeau deeply angered and alienated western Canada.

Patriating the Constitution

• 1980: Minister of Justice, (Jean Chrétien), was told to set up a First Ministers Conference to discuss the BNA Act, 1867.
• A last minute compromise was made with the English Provinces.
• Quebec refused to accept the deal.
• Trudeau moved ahead without Quebec.
• May, 1982: The Queen proclaimed the Constitution Act of 1882.
• Quebec's refusal will result in future problems.

Foreign Affairs (1969-'83)

• Trudeau stated that our foreign policy would become "the extension abroad of national policies."
• Trudeau was concerned about American influence on Canada.

"Living next to you is in some ways like sleeping with an elephant. No matter how friendly & even-tempered is the beast, if I can call it that, one is affected by every twitch & grunt."

International Conduct ('68-'69)

• 1968: Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommuniations Commission (CRTC) established.
  • Regulates broadcasting & communications activity.
  • Best known rule is "Canadian Content"
  • Radio to play 30% Can. Content, TV 60% (50% in prime time)
  • Cable companies replaced US broadcasts with Can. rebroadcasts containing Can. commercials.

International Conduct, cont.

• 1969: In a review of international priorities, NATO comes third after sovereignty & peacekeeping; NATO forces cut in half.
• Nixon and Trudeau meet (don't like each other much)
• 1970: We recognised Red China, 2 years earlier than US
• 1971: Trudeau visits USSR, criticizes US influence on Can.
• Bomarc missiles phased out.

International Conduct (1972-'73)

• 1972: Nixon visits Canada & implies the "special relationship" between the US & Can. was dead, (echoing Pearson).
• Third Option unveiled
  1. Stay the Same (not possible)
  2. Integrate closer (Trudeau doesn't want this)
  3. Develop links with other nations
• 1973: Parliamentary motion condemning the prolongation of the Vietnam War.

International Conduct (1974-'80)

• 1974: Foreign Investment Review Agency (FIRA) established.
• 1976: Trudeau visits Castro, the Communist Leader of Cuba.
• 1978: Canada's immigration policy became more liberal ("Colour-Blind" & Points System)
• 1980: Canada boycotts the Moscow Olympic Games, in protest of Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.
• NEP: The US opposed gov't interference in the economy and threats to secure supplies of oil.

International Conduct (1983)

• Canada denounces US policy in Central and South America
• Canada allows US unarmed Cruise Missile testing in Northern Alberta (a concilatory act to improve relations)
• Trudeau launches a peace initiative between the US and USSR without consulting the US. He was not taken seriously by either side. Canada lost influence & credibility.

Trudeau's Departure

• In an increasingly right-wing world, he was out of place.
• His popularity was fading & many people wanted change.
• He announces his resignation in Feb, 1984 & was replaced by John Turner in June.
• Turner served as PM until an election in Sept.
• Sept, 1984: the Progressive Conservative Party, lead by Brian Mulroney, wins a majority Government.

Next Lesson