Canadians were shocked on October 19, 1970 when Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau and the House of Commons passed the War Measures Act.
The federal and Quebec governments where struggling with the Front de Liberation du Quebec (FLQ). The had kidnapped British Trade Commissioner James Cross on October 5. They held him for a ransom of $500,000 and demanded that the CBC broadcast the FLQ manifesto.
Then they abducted Quebec Labour Minister Pierre Laporte on October 10; his body was discovered eight days later.
At one point, from the steps of parliament, the press asked him about the extreme implementation of the War Measures Act, Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau replied, “Just watch me.” That statement would forever become a part of Trudeau’s legacy.
The FLQ, basically, were a group intent on separating the Province of Quebec from Canada. The had planted nearly one hundred bombs in the Montreal area, some of which caused death and injury.
Eventually, a deal was made, and the kidnappers were allowed to go to Cuba. Those responsible for the murder of Laporte were caught and sent to trial.
For more on the FLQ, Wikipedia
Also I suggest going to the CBC site for even more.
Bite Size Canada 
Dude. Canada Has fascinating history ! Thanks fur sharing the stories /links !
Shrimp
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Shrimp, thank you for the kind words! I’m glad the words “Canadian History” doesn’t scare you … 🐱
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No it doesn’t scare me, but some of those old guys in funny clothes do !!
Shrimp
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Like the ones with big orange neckwear? The big wigs? You are so right!! 🙂
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Yes that’s the ones… And the ones with the ruffley things around their necks ! Humans are so weird sometimes !
Shrimp
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But, I am sure you will agree, it is better that way rather than those who dress up their Kats, eh? Or, I’m sorry I’ve seen it, but better on themselves, rather than colouring our fut!?
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Thats right! My human has never dressed me, but she is talking about doing it fur Halloween…. I hope she doesn’t… I’d hate to have to hurt her!
Shrimp
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The few times my owner tried it on me, I just stood as motionless as a statue, which took away their fun. They’ve not tried it in years, now … =^.^=
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Hmm.. I’ll have to remember that… Just in case!
(purrs)!
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His other memorable quote from that time was when he told “bleeding hearts” who didn’t like seeing soldiers in the streets to “go ahead and bleed”.
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I hadn’t heard that one, but it certainly doesn’t surprise me … he was quite the colourful character!
Thanks for dropping by!! 🙂
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The whole FLQ crisis I find interesting probably because it seems so out of the ordinary for what usually happens in our country.
No matter what your politics, I think everyone will agree Trudeau was memorable.
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I still remember tanks driving down the streets — too young to understand, old enough to ask, and aware enough to feel fear when my answer was, “Don’t look. Don’t ask.”
and yep, “memorable” is a good word for him! 🙂
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I remember Trudeaumania, and I remember when he was loathed by so many Canadians…but no one was ever neutral about him. Should be interesting to see how his son turns out, politically.
^K.
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You are right: he was either loved, or not. But he had his own way of doing things, whether Canadians agreed or not. As for Justin … we’ll see … thanks for the comments! 🙂
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I can’t blame him for implementing that act. And I read the Wikipedia article. What a sad but fascinating account. How awful that so many people were harmed because of one group’s demands.
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Thank goodness we don’t have too many of such unpleasanteries here in Canada!
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I could never get tired of watching Pierre, what a great Prime Minister.
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Besides Layton, we haven’t had many real good leaders in a while! Pierre Trudeau was definitely one of them! 🙂
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