Nearly 50 years ago, Pierre Elliott Trudeau managed the unthinkable when his Liberal Party captured seats in just about every province. Yet by the time of his retirement, what had seemed so promising — a Just Society — dissolved into disillusionment, at least in much of western Canada.
Justin Trudeau, buoyed to victory on the promise of "Real Change," albeit by a somewhat smaller margin than his father, is riding a similar wave of Trudeaumania here in the west.
What will stop the son from falling to the same disappointing fate as the father? Perhaps, a little advice from the voters.
Why not? His father got his share of advice — at least from my Nana, who was a feisty Albertan and a widow who raised four kids during the depression years.
What did she see in the dashing Quebecer? In more than two dozen letters between 1968 to 1980, my grandmother, Enid Fitzsimmons, never missed an opportunity to congratulate Pierre Trudeau. She even sent him a knitted dickey one year and a "grow chart" for Justin, and, while her original letters have not survived, the replies and thank you letters — typed on thick government stock embossed with the coat of arms and Office of the Prime Minister (and Leader of the Opposition), and signed with Trudeau's flamboyant signature — reveal some insights into the challenges of governing during an economic downturn, political crisis and even terrorism.
Could these letters, now yellowed with age, be a harbinger of things to come for Justin Trudeau?
Like his son, Justin, Pierre Trudeau was swept into power on a positive campaign that stressed his personality and progressive change. But idealism soon took a back seat to more pragmatic concerns. The government's response to the bombings and kidnappings of the October Crisis was the War Measures Act; wage and price controls were introduced to combat inflation, an about-face-from an earlier rejection; and the constitution was rewritten but Quebec would not sign it.
Will Justin Trudeau's charisma, engaging charm and message of hope outlast the promises of his famous father?
Through many tumultuous years, my Nana wrote her letters, encouraging the prime minister through the October Crisis, supporting him through his minority government and reassuring him when he was defeated, and judging by his responses, Trudeau was appreciative of her efforts — one letter even indicated surprise that an Albertan still cared about him.
Fast forward to today and the younger Trudeau is trying to show sensitivity to western voters but the media-savvy PM-designate is using social media rather than government letterhead to connect. When a west coast middle-class mom expressed ambivalence in voting for the Liberals, calling for 10 changes, Trudeau responded: "I've read your letter with great interest and admiration," adding that he took her words "to heart."
It's easy to be open and responsive when you've come off a huge win. The headwinds of government will test the younger Trudeau and it will be interesting to see if he manages to do what his father could not: keep the west in his back pocket.
Again, Nana's letters from Trudeau and his staff offer some sobering reflection. In 1980, the correspondence to my Nana stopped, a noticeable lapse after 11 years.
Will Justin Trudeau's charisma, engaging charm and message of hope outlast the promises of his famous father?
