Pierre Trudeau

Reflecting on a Political Awakening, 40 Years Later

By Graeme MacKay, Tuesday, September 4, 2024

Forty years ago today, on September 4, 1984, Canada underwent a political earthquake that forever changed its landscape. It was election day, the results of which Canada had never really seen before. For me, it marked the beginning of a lifelong journey into the world of politics, an awakening that has shaped my career as an editorial cartoonist, where I’ve keenly observed the ebb and flow of power, the rise and fall of leaders, and the inevitable march of history.

As a 15-year-old in 1984, I was just starting to tune into the broader world beyond my immediate surroundings. While I was still engrossed in typical teenage activities, names like John Crosbie, David Crombie, Michael Wilson, and Joe Clark began to seep into my consciousness (back then kids would actually pay attention to news by following it on tv, or radio, or reading about it in newspapers.) The leadership race that saw Brian Mulroney rise to the helm of the Progressive Conservative Party in 1983 was a pivotal moment. It was then that I first grasped the importance of leadership and its impact on the direction of a nation.

The PCs’ decision to replace their weak leader, Joe Clark, with the charismatic Mulroney signaled a shift. I still recall the moment when Oilers tycoon Peter Pocklington, with his entrepreneurial spirit, threw his hat into the leadership contest, underscoring the party’s growing focus on free enterprise and economic renewal.

A Walk in the Snow

Mulroney’s ascent was perfectly timed. Just a few months after becoming party leader, he found himself in a position to challenge a Liberal government that was losing its way. On a snowy day in February 1984, Pierre Trudeau, a towering figure who had been Prime Minister for most of my life, took a reflective walk and decided it was time to step down. It was a poignant moment for Canada, and even as a teenager, I felt the weight of that decision.

My own recording of Pierre Trudeau’s good-bye speech

Born just six months after Trudeau first took office, I grew up in an era defined by his leadership. As I began to explore my political awareness, I found myself reflecting on Trudeau’s legacy. In one of my early journal entries, I wrote, “Many have put down the leadership of Prime Minister Trudeau, including myself. I now realize that Mr. Trudeau is a gifted man, a very intelligent man of rare type.” Marc Lalonde in addressing his fellow Liberals at a farewell gala reminded the audience that in 20 years time each could proudly boast, “I was there when Trudeau was Prime Minister.”

The Liberal Leadership Battle

Trudeau’s departure set the stage for a fierce battle within the Liberal Party, a contest that pitted two of the party’s brightest stars against each other: John Turner and Jean Chrétien. The race was a captivating display of ambition, with other contenders like Eugene Whelan, Marc MacGuigan, John Roberts, and Donald Johnston making their final bids for leadership. Ultimately, Turner emerged victorious, but his victory was bittersweet.

Turner’s tenure as Prime Minister was marred by the shadow of Trudeau’s long reign and the arrogance that had built up over years of Liberal dominance. His disastrous campaign against Mulroney’s Progressive Conservatives in the 1984 election resulted in a crushing defeat, with the Liberals reduced to just 40 seats in the House of Commons. It was a humbling moment for a party that had governed Canada for much of the previous two decades.

A Personal Connection

The 1984 election wasn’t just a moment of national significance—it was a personal milestone for me. I still remember the thrill of shaking hands with Brian Mulroney at a rally in Dundurn Park, Hamilton, and meeting Jean Chrétien as he campaigned in Dundas. I even had the opportunity to pose for a photo with John Turner when I briefly joined a local Young Liberal association. These encounters brought the world of politics into sharp focus, making it real and tangible.

The Broader Context

The transformation in Canada’s political landscape wasn’t happening in isolation. South of the border, the U.S. was in the midst of its own pivotal election, with Ronald Reagan cruising toward a landslide victory over Walter Mondale. The conservative wave that swept across North America during this period would shape the continent’s politics for years to come, paving the way for leaders like Jean Chrétien and Bill Clinton in the 1990s.

And then, there was the historic visit of Pope John Paul II to Canada, just days after the 1984 federal election. His presence added a sense of gravitas to a period already brimming with change.

Mulroney campaign ad I recorded in 1984

The Final Act: Ontario’s Political Shift

The political transformation of the early 1980s extended beyond the federal level. In 1985, Ontario saw its own leadership change when Bill Davis, who had been Premier since I was in diapers, decided to step down. Davis’ resignation marked the end of an era in Ontario politics, and the leadership race to replace him featured familiar names like Roy McMurtry, Dennis Timbrell, and Larry Grossman.

The race produced a short-lived victory for Frank Miller, a car dealer turned politician, whose tenure was cut short by the shifting political winds that soon brought David Peterson, Bob Rae, and Mike Harris to the forefront. Meeting Bill Davis in the parlour of my Anglican church as he campaigned in the waning days of his time in office was yet another moment that solidified my interest in the political world.

Bill Davis’ Good-bye announcement I recorded in 1985

Reflecting on a Period of Transformation

Looking back, the years from 1983 to 1985 were a time of profound change in Canada. The political giants of the era—Pierre Trudeau, Brian Mulroney, Ed Broadbent, John Turner, and Bill Davis—have all since passed away, leaving behind legacies that continue to influence our nation. It was a period that shaped my understanding of politics and the cyclical nature of power.

As I reflect on these events 40 years later, I realize that I have yet to witness another time quite like it. The alignment of events, the clash of personalities, and the sweeping changes that followed remain unparalleled in my memory. It was a time when the stars aligned, and history was made—a time that set me on the path to becoming the observer and commentator that I am today.