Page "Pierre Trudeau" Paragraph 39

Trudeau retired from politics on June 30, 1984 and was succeeded by John Turner.

Shortly after, he joined the Montreal law firm Heenan Blaikie as counsel.

Though he rarely gave speeches or spoke to the press, his interventions into public debate had a significant impact when they occurred.

Trudeau wrote and spoke out against both the Meech Lake Accord and Charlottetown Accord proposals to amend the Canadian constitution, arguing that they would weaken federalism and the Charter of Rights if implemented.

His opposition was a critical factor leading to the defeat of the two proposals.