Thousands Mourn Former Prime Minister Trudeau

O T T A W A, Sept 30 -- The coffin carrying the body of

former Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau lay in

state in Ottawa today as several thousand Canadians,

including dignitaries and politicians, paid their last respects

to the man who led the country for more than 15 years.

Trudeau died of cancer Thursday in his hometown ofMontreal at age 80. The death of arguably Canada’s mostinfluential and charismatic modern-era politician has led to anoutpouring of grief across the country. Trudeau was primeminister from 1968 to 1979 and from 1980 to 1984.

His coffin, which was flown from Montreal, arrived in thenational capital shortly after 10 a.m. today under a clear sky at a place he long dominated—Canada’s Parliament—accompanied by Trudeau’s two surviving sons, Justin and Sacha, and his former wife, Margaret.

Family Receives Condolences

Several hundred people attended the arrival of the funeralcar, with some laying candles, Canadian flags and roses at thecentennial flame on Parliament Hill.

Eight Royal Canadian Mounted Police officers carried thecasket under a black-draped arch into the Centre Block ofParliament as 81 bells tolled. Canadian Prime Minister JeanChretien and his wife, Aline, joined Trudeau family members infollowing the closed casket, which was covered by a Canadianflag. The casket was then laid in Parliament’s Hall of Honor,where the family took time to grieve alone.

The family then received condolences from dignitaries,including Governor-General Adrienne Clarkson, who reached up towipe tears from the eyes of Justin Trudeau, Trudeau’s oldestson. A weeping Chretien, who served in the Cabinet underTrudeau, hugged both sons.

Several thousand people, including Trudeau’s formerpolitical colleagues, Cabinet ministers, diplomats and friendsbegan filing by the casket at 11:30 a.m. By the endof this afternoon, a few thousand others were still waitingin two separate 100-foot lines outside.

“Things went very smoothly, and people were quitecivilized. I saw people from all over the world,” said DeanCampbell, security officer at the House of Commons, Canada’sParliament, pointing out that people had to wait in line forsome three hours to enter the Parliament.

Members of the public, coming from all over the country,were expected to be able to walk by the casket until at least11 p.m. tonight and from 10 a.m. to at least 11 p.m. on Sunday.Another lying in state will also be held on Monday atMontreal’s City Hall, the government announced.

In Ottawa, mourners were laying flowers near Trudeau’scoffin and crossing themselves in respect for the man. Theywere also signing a large book of condolences that will bepresented to the Trudeau family. A Web site provided by theCanadian government (www.trudeau.gc.ca) was also available sothe population at home could leave messages of condolence.

Sadness and Pride

People at the gathering expressed pride at the chance topay their final respects to the suave French Canadianmillionaire who was known for his piercing intellect andfearsome political persona.

“I came here because I am proud to be a Canadian and I wasthere at the beginning: My first vote was with Trudeau,” saidLynn Williams, a former Montrealer who lives in Ottawa.

“It is a sad day for the nation, and I wanted to come andbe part of this little bit of history,” she added.

Orest Werenka, who drove 285 miles (455 km) from Torontowith his wife, Glenda, on Friday night, said Trudeau was thebest prime minister Canada ever had.

“It is very sad day. He unified the country to make oneCanada and make everybody equal,” he said.

Others said Trudeau made a profound mark on theinternational scene.

“He put Canada on the map, and he became very well-known,”said Marge Daedhser, an elderly Ottawa resident whose sonworked for Trudeau’s law firm.

“I respected what Trudeau represented in terms of thecountry. He represented intelligence, talent and devotion towhat he believed,” added her husband, Warner.

Trudeau’s coffin will be sent back to Montreal by a specialtrain, with the former prime minister scheduled to lie in statethere on Monday at a site to be determined.

A state funeral, to be carried live on all nationaltelevision channels, is set for Tuesday morning in Montreal.

Trudeau’s tenure as prime minister included a successfulbattle against separatists in his native Quebec. His last termwas dominated by his patriation of Canada’s Constitution in1982 from Britain with a groundbreaking Charter of Rights andFreedoms.