EPISODE 832 THE DAY PRIME MINISTER PIERRE TRUDEAU ARRIVED AT PARKDALE
Alan skeoch
june 2023
There was a bi-election in the Parkdale riding around 1990. I forget the exact year but that is
not really the important part of the story. I was teaching Civics to my Grade Ten class and
casually mentioned that it was possible to get a visit from the Prime Minister.
“Would you like to meet Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau in person?”
“Us?”
“yes, there is a chance our Prime Minister would come to meet each of you peronsally.”
“Not likely, sir. “
“You might be right but Itink you are wrong.”
“Why?”
“I think if you…all of you…write a letter to Mr. Trudeau ….a letter inviting hime to our school.
I think he might come to see you” Worth a try anyway. Let’s compose a letter.”
And we did. I made sure the letter was written by the class and not by me or any teacher
at Parkdale. Maybe left in a couple of spelling mistakes just to prove the letter was authentic.
And Presto! next week we got a letter from Ottawa or perhaps it was a phone call. Trudeau was
coming to see and talk to my Grade Ten class. The school went berserk. Trudeau would meet
all of our students in the auditorium. He would maKe a speech to them. Answer questions. It was made clear
that the prime minister wanted to meet the students…not the teachers…not the adults. he liked
young people. Loved the give and take in conversation with kids.
This visit became a big deal. Everyone was excited.
The search dogs came the day before. Officers searched every croner of the
school to make sure there was no danger. No bomb. Plain clothes men were present…anonymous
in part. Then Trudeau arrived in a bit of a motorcade up Jameson Avenue. He was encircled
by security people lest something untoward happen. He was safe.
Or so everyone thought. But he was not safe. Suddenly a girl dashed from the crowd of
students greeting Trudeau and the motorcade. She rushed the Trudeau car in a sudden
burts of energy….by passed the security detail and planted a big kiss on Trudeau who
grinned and marched into the school.
The first thing he asked was where is the washroom. He had to take a leak. Then he
proceeded to the auditorium where he spoke for a few minutes and then asked for
questions.
My Grade Ten class was forgotten in he visit. Questions were asked but they
were as bland as porridge. A teacher committee tried to keep hostile questions
from being asked. The visit was nice but rather bland.
I wished he had come up to Room 225 to really meet my class. They were the
reason he visited Parkdale but that was lost in the jumble. All the same our
school was flattered. Our students felt important…all of them.
And one girl out smarted the whole security detail as she rushed to be cradled
in the arms of our Prime Minister.
alan skeoch
June 2023