Back in 1970, Canada went through a crisis not seen in recent times. It began with the kidnapping of British diplomat James Cross in Montreal on October 9, 1970 by the FLQ (Front de libération du Québec). However, it had been preceded by a wave of some 200 bombings between 1963 and 1970 which killed 6 people.
Within the next two weeks, FLQ members also kidnapped and killed Quebec Minister of Immigration and Minister of Labour Pierre Laporte . At that point the Quebec premier and the Mayor of Montreal asked for federal help to deal with the crisis.
Fifty years ago today on October 12th 1970 Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau asked the Canadian Armed Forces to deploy soldiers in Ottawa to protect high-profile people and locations.
“The next day, CBC reporter Tim Ralphe questioned Trudeau at the front entrance of the Parliament Buildings. Ralphe expressed concern about the heavy military presence in the city. Trudeau replied, “Yes, well there are a lot of bleeding hearts around who just don’t like to see people with helmets and guns. All I can say is, go on and bleed, but it is more important to keep law and order in the society than to be worried about weak-kneed people.” Ralphe asked Trudeau exactly how far he was willing to go. Trudeau responded, “Well, just watch me.” (Canadian Encyclopedia)
Three days later troops deployed throughout the Montreal area. To quote a Harper era Liberal attack ad there were “troops in the streets”. I was one of them back then, a reservist called up for duty. The crisis would end on December 28, 1970.
One can argue as to whether or not Pierre Trudeau did the right thing. Certainly, invoking the War Measures Act was a heavy-handed way to seek a solution to the crisis. Later studies and a Royal Commission would list many of the civil rights abuses and actions committed by the authorities during this period.
Looking back 50 years ago today, it is interesting to think about how the present Prime Minister would have acted if he were faced with the same set of circumstances.