CONFIDENTIAL
another dinner given by Mr Trudeau. She will have a
breakfast meeting with the Premier of Alberta, Mr
Lougheed, before flying to Washington on the morning of
28 September.
3. The Prime Minister is visiting Canada in response to
an invitation that Mr Trudeau extended at the time of
patriation of the Canadian Constitution in 1982. Mrs
Thatcher's standing in Canada is high. She can expect a
warm welcome, particularly in Ontario and Alberta. The
invitation to address Parliament in Ottawa is an honour
reserved for major world leaders and the event will
receive major coverage throughout Canada. (The last
British Prime Minister to make a similar speech was
Mr MacMillan in 1958).
4. Mr Trudeau has taken a keen personal interest in the
arrangements for the Prime Minister's visit and will
accompany her to Ontario and Alberta. However, he may be
nearing the end of his time as Canadian Leader. After
dominating Canadian politics for 15 years his political
standing has declined seriously in the last year or so,
and his government's popularity has suffered greatly from
the effects of the economic recession. He could well
stand down in the next few months in order to allow his
successor time to establish himself before the next
General Election. This is due in February 1985 at the
latest, but might be held as early as next June.
UNITED KINGDOM OBJECTIVES
5. This visit is the result of a Canadian initiative.
However it can be used by us to put the seal on the
CONFIDENTIAL