Pierre Elliott Trudeau
A law professor at U de M by the 1960s, Trudeau became a sharp critic of the contemporary Québec nationalism and argued for a Canadian FEDERALISM in which English and French Canada would find a new equality.
He gained national attention for his introduction of divorce law reform and for Criminal Code amendments liberalizing the laws on abortion, homosexuality and public lotteries. He also established a reputation as a defender of a strong federal government against the nationalist demands of Québec.
The most dramatic event of Trudeau's first government was the OCTOBER CRISIS of 1970, precipitated by the kidnapping of British diplomat James Cross and of Québec Cabinet minister Pierre LAPORTE by the terrorist FRONT DE LIBÉRATION DU QUÉBEC (FLQ). In response, Trudeau invoked the WAR MEASURES ACT, with its extraordinary powers of arrest, detention and censorship.
Less dramatic, but of lasting significance, was the OFFICIAL LANGUAGES ACT, a central feature of Trudeau's new federalism. At the same time, he began to improve the position of francophones in Ottawa.
The Canadian Encyclopedia
http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/articles/pierre-elliott-trudeau
Ordinary guys like Smoky Smith
"At this point, a group of about ten German soldiers jumped off the back of the tank and started running towards Smith with their submachine guns blazing. Smith opened up on them with his awesome gangster-style Tommy Gun, killing four and sending the rest of them running off like b*tches. Smith used the brief respite to return to the ditch and check on his wounded buddy, but before long the Jerrys returned – this time with a little help. Namely, another tank and like thirty guys.
But Ernest Smith didn't give a crap. He boing-ed another PIAT round that damaged the Panther and sent it full-throttle in reverse, and then burned a couple clips of SMG ammo to disperse the German assault on this insane one-man Canadian wrecking ball of awesome."
Bada$$ of the Week: Ernest A. Smith
http://www.badassoftheweek.com/ernestsmith.html