TNAG-1255-FCO40-1588-Third-countries-and-the-future-of-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 204

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