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Ask students to recall what they are able to of the media coverage of Pierre Trudeau’s funeral in September 2000. Have them state some ways in which they think he influenced Canadians who were living during his period in office as prime minister, and those too young to remember his political career.

Have students view the video clip containing Wendy Mesley’s interview with three former “Trudeaumaniacs” (Walter Robinson, Rick Anderson, and Florene Moscovitz) in which they present their views of Trudeau’s influence, both on their own lives and the country as a whole. Students should prepare summaries of each person’s comments, indicating the specific ways in which each person’s experiences during the Trudeau era shaped the course of his or her subsequent life, both politically and personally.

Have students write a short report on Trudeau’s impact on the lives of Canadians who lived during his tenure as prime minister. Students should explain how they think Trudeau influenced Canadians at that time, and what students consider Trudeau’s lasting importance to be.

Have students give some examples of recent or current political leaders, either in Canada or elsewhere, who they think have exerted a similar kind of influence on young people that Trudeau did during his political career, and why they think these figures are important today.