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Most Canadians think of Pierre Elliott Trudeau as a man of vision and purpose, not a traditional politician consumed with power and privilege. He won the Liberal leadership on his own terms, without making any promises to partisans for appointments or positions of influence. As his own man, he was in a unique position to change our systems of governance and politics.

Trudeau’s stated goal of participatory democracy ran counter to his inclinations. Before entering politics Trudeau shunned teamwork. He felt most in his element when countering prevailing public opinion. He insouciantly wrote that if the Liberal party did not agree with his opinions, then it could repudiate him; if his constituents did not like what he did, they could elect someone else. To ready-made or secondhand ideas, Trudeau said he always preferred his own.

While Trudeau said he wanted to enhance the role of MPs he famously remarked, “When they are 50 yards from Parliament Hill they are no longer honourable members, they’re just nobodies.” He claimed to have innocently mouthed “fuddle-duddle” to an MP who was getting under his skin in the House of Commons, when it was evident that he really said “f–k off.” When he stood accused of not having the guts to admit the truth of his remark, Trudeau said that he didn’t run off to complain to his mama, unlike opposition members whining to the press.

While Trudeau talked about strengthening democracy, his commitment to the system varied. In 1977 he said that in certain countries and at certain times a one-party state would be preferable. “I wouldn’t be prepared to think I would be successful in arguing that for Canada at the present time, but such times might come, who knows?”