Diefenbaker & Trudeau
Two of the greatest and most flamboyant political careers in Canada's history reached watershed moments at Maple Leaf Gardens, one drawing to a humiliating close, the other seeming to gain new life. On September 9, 1967, the Progressive Conservative Party held its leadership convention at the Gardens. John Diefenbaker had been the party's face since 1956, and for six years the Prime Minister of Canada. But after losing consecutive elections, the rank and file wanted him out. The Chief kept his intentions secret until the last minute, when he filed nomination papers, and joined a crowded field vying for the job. But on the first ballot, he finished fifth, and on the second, many of his supporters deserted him for other candidates. Understanding that his position was hopeless, Diefenbaker voted once more then left abruptly, heading back to his hotel with no intention of returning to the Gardens. In the end, he thought better of it, and came back at the end of the night to rally support behind his successor, Robert Stanfield. "Don't, as the fire of controversy burns around your leader, add gasoline to that fire," he told the crowd. Twelve years later, the largest political rally in Canadian history packed 18,000 people into the arena, an echo of the Trudeaumania phenomenon eleven years before. But on May 9, 1979, Pierre Trudeau - the man Stanfield could never beat - was fighting for his political life, blamed by Canadians for a failing economy. Following performances by Sylvia Tyson, the Good Brothers, and the Downchild Blues Band, Trudeau took the stage like a rock star, and made a passionate argument for the patriation of Canada's constitution. "What began as an embarrassment is a shame," he said. This time the voters weren't buying, though. Thirteen days later, they elected Joe Clark's Progressive Conservatives with a minority government. Trudeau resigned, only to stay on when Clark's government fell unexpectedly after only nine months. The Liberals won a majority in 1980. And in 1982, the Constitution came home.
-Stephen Brunt
Plaque via Alan L. Brown's site Toronto Plaques. Full page here.