Pierre Elliott Trudeau

Trudeau, Pierre Elliott (1919– ), Canadian prime minister (1968–79, 1980–84). A law professor, he entered parliament in 1965, became minister of justice in 1967, and succeeded Lester Pearson as prime minister and Liberal Party leader (1968). He sought to promote a dialogue between the provincial and federal governments and to contain the Quebec separatist movement, giving the French language equal status with English. In 1970 he recognized the People's Republic of China. Briefly out of office (1979–80), he returned to cope anew with the constitutional issue that resulted in the Constitution Act (1982), giving Canada its independence from Great Britain.

See also: Canada.