Trudeau certainly polarized things.

He made the Federal government stronger, and the provinces weaker. That alienated a few Quebecers.

He implemented the war measures act against the terrorists in Quebec, in hindsight an overreaction. That alienated a few Quebecers.

He was a strong proponent of official bilingualism. That made a few Quebecers think they had a shot at language equality in Canada.

He managed to patriate the consitution, in part to allow Canada to make changes, which may have been used to accomodate Quebec's wanting a "new deal".

He didn't get Quebec to sign off on the constituional deal. That pissed off the separatists.

The separatists think Trudeau was a traitor. But how could any Prime Minister who supports one Canada including Quebec ever make them happy?

By the way Oz, it was the British back in 1774 who passed the Quebec act, which meant that in Quebec, civil law would work on the French system, and criminal law would work on the English common law.

So blame your ancestors.....