No Place for the State: The Origins and Legacies of the 1969 Omnibus Bill

Pierre Elliott Trudeau argued that the state should not be involved in the bedrooms of the nation, particularly in matters of homosexuality, birth control, and abortion. The 1969 Omnibus Bill had significant consequences for these issues, leading to ongoing debates and demands for more comprehensive changes to the law. Fifty years later, the origins and legacies of the bill remain equivocal, and the state continues to be interested in these matters.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 300 pages
Publication date: 15 October 2020
Publisher: University of British Columbia Press

In a speech to reporters, Pierre Elliott Trudeau made a bold statement, asserting that the state had no place in the bedrooms of the nation. He was advocating for the most contentious of his proposed reforms to the Criminal Code, which addressed issues such as homosexuality, birth control, and abortion.

In No Place for the State, a collection of essays, contributors offer diverse and often conflicting viewpoints as they explore the impact of the 1969 Omnibus Bill on sexual and moral politics in Canada. The bill's origins, social implications, and consequences are examined in depth, shedding light on its far-reaching effects.

The new legal regime introduced by the Omnibus Bill had profound consequences for various aspects of society, including adoption, divorce, and suicide. Many Canadians continued to push for more comprehensive changes to the law, seeking to redefine the boundaries of sexual behavior and morality.

Fifty years after the bill's passage, its origins and legacies remain somewhat ambiguous. While it undoubtedly had a significant impact on Canadian society, its long-term effects are still being debated and discussed. The state, it seems, continues to have an interest in the bedrooms of the nation, reflecting the ongoing significance of these issues in Canadian politics and society.

This insightful study provides valuable insights into why the state's involvement in the bedrooms of the nation remains a matter of concern and importance. It sheds light on the complex interplay between law, sexuality, and social norms, and encourages readers to consider the broader implications of these issues for Canadian society.

Weight: 450g
Dimension: 153 x 227 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780774862431