Artefact 4: Newsboy in Ottawa informing Canadians about the invocation of the War Measures Act

Citation:

Bragg, Peter. A newsboy hits the streets in Ottawa, Oct. 16, 1970. History Collection. The Canadian Press, 2017. https://cdn.historycollection.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/A-newsboy-hits-the-streets-in-Ottawa-Oct.-16-1970.-PHOTO-PETER-BREGG-THE-CANADIAN-PRESS.jpg.

Label:

A newsboy in Ottawa on October 16, 1970 took to the streets to hand out newspapers, informing Canadians of the government's decision to invoke the War Measures Act. This was a  response to the kidnappings of British Diplomat James Cross and Cabinet Minister Pierre Laporte by the FLQ. The decision has been described as rash by PM Trudeau as the Quebec separatist movement was much more democratic than what the FLQ had done and was seen as a way to target all nationalists. Moreover, many Quebecois felt the Act infringed upon their rights protected by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms as it allowed for involuntary searches and seizures. However, the government believed they were facing an insurrection beyond their control or means of democracy, leaving them no choice but to enact the War Measures Act. Additionally, the use of the Act allowed for the safe return of James Cross, but was unsuccessful in Laporte’s case as he was killed. Furthermore, the Act allowed many criminals to be apprehended and held responsible for their actions of domestic terrorism.

Bibliography:

Munroe, H.D. 2009. “The October Crisis Revisited: Counterterrorism as Strategic Choice, Political Result, and Organizational Practice.” Terrorism and Political Violence 21 (2): 288-305. https://doi.org/10.1080/09546550902765623.