A Canadian TL which will not be online until May. Here's part of the first installment. Feel free to critique.
The October Crisis was a pivotal point in Canadian history: the trial by fire of the Liberal governments led by Pierre Trudeau and Robert Bourassa. After two tension-filled weeks which saw the imposition of martial law and the deployment of the Canadian Army onto the streets of Montreal, the FLQ terrorists escaped to Cuba. James Cross, the kidnapped British trade commissioner, was rescued by the Canadian Forces. Pierre Laporte, Bourassa’s deputy and labour minister, was found dead in the trunk of a car, just beyond the gates of CFB Saint-Hubert. Laporte was revered as a martyr to this day. In fact, his death saved both governments from revelations that would have rocked the country and forever changed Quebec politics. Let us see what happens when things work out somewhat differently…
On Oct. 7, 1970, Pierre Laporte was found by soldiers from the Royal 22nd Regiment in a safe house in east-end Montreal. After two tension-filled weeks, the crisis was over when Cross was found and the FLQ terrorists were allowed to escape to Cuba. Meanwhile, Operation VEGAS was underway.
“Operation Vegas was an operation designed to entrap the leading Mafia dons conducting their business. Among the things that the [REDACTED] found, going back to 1969 was contacts by Laporte aides with the Mafia. They were asking for financial assistance for Laporte’s campaign for the Liberal leadership convention, held in January 1970. I was informed that Laporte himself had attended one of these meetings to finalize the details. On Nov. 8, I decided to fully brief Mr. Bourassa on our findings. Implicated in this affair was Jean-Jacques Saulnier [1]. Lucien [2] was well aware of his brother’s failings and did not need any further details. When the indictments were prepared, we had to consider how to gracefully ease M. Laporte out of Cabinet. As such, it proved impossible.”
Former Justice Minister Jerome Choquette interviewed by Bernard Derome [3], 1979
“There was no subtle way out of our dilemma. If I fired him prematurely, it would appear as if we were aiding in a cover-up. Thus I awaited Jerome’s announcement.”
- Former Premier Robert Bourassa interviewed, 1988
LAPORTE NETTED IN MAFIA BUST, EXPELLED FROM ASSEMBLY
Le Devoir, 5 déc. 1970
Jean-Claude Leclerc
QUEBEC
“The political world was rocked yesterday when labour minister Pierre Laporte was indicted for cooperation with organized crime in Quebec. The Crown believes that M. Laporte has ties to the mob, “being bought and paid for” by the Mafia. Among others indicted is Montreal police Chief Jean-Jacques Saulnier. Both men will face charges of corruption, tax fraud and embezzlement, with a prison sentence of up to thirty years expected.”
Translated from the French by L. Ian Macdonald, 1991
“If you had told me last year that Quebec would have a three-party political battlefield, which would see its oldest party reduced to penury, I’d have laughed in your face. Now I’m the one who had the last laugh.”
- Brian Mulroney interviewed, 1997
“The trial of Pierre Laporte opened on January 14, 1971. Quebec was unanimously tuned in, shocked that a man previously known as a reformer would be thoroughly corrupted. For older Quebecois, memories of the Public Accounts Committee in 1936, where Maurice Duplessis had destroyed Liberal credibility, came to mind. Laporte was of a far greater magnitude, for the deputy premier of Quebec had been in effect a paid tool of organized crime for nearly two years. Both Unionists and Pequistes made hay out of the trial, which only grew more sordid by the day.”
LAPORTE: I need some cash.
[ANGELO LAZZO] Mr. Laporte, we need some assurances about your loyalty to our cause. If you win the leadership next week, can you assure us that we’ll be left alone?
LAPORTE: Nothing can be guaranteed, but I’ll do my best.
[ROMEO BUCCI] Specifically about the casinos, the meat industry, you know what I’m talking about.
LAPORTE: Of course. Even if I lose, which is likely if we don’t reach a deal, I’ll get the deputy premiership and the justice ministry. With me there and Saulnier in the Montreal chief’s job, there will only be cursory harassment: nothing for you to worry about.
[LAZZO] I should certainly hope so, otherwise the deal is off.
[1]: Montreal's Chief of Police, IOTL found incompetent and removed, ITTL somewhat worse.
[2]: Chairman of the Executive Committee, ie Deputy Mayor.
[3]: Dean of the National Assembly's press gallery.
Bucci/Lazio: senior capi in the Montreal organization.
The October Crisis was a pivotal point in Canadian history: the trial by fire of the Liberal governments led by Pierre Trudeau and Robert Bourassa. After two tension-filled weeks which saw the imposition of martial law and the deployment of the Canadian Army onto the streets of Montreal, the FLQ terrorists escaped to Cuba. James Cross, the kidnapped British trade commissioner, was rescued by the Canadian Forces. Pierre Laporte, Bourassa’s deputy and labour minister, was found dead in the trunk of a car, just beyond the gates of CFB Saint-Hubert. Laporte was revered as a martyr to this day. In fact, his death saved both governments from revelations that would have rocked the country and forever changed Quebec politics. Let us see what happens when things work out somewhat differently…
On Oct. 7, 1970, Pierre Laporte was found by soldiers from the Royal 22nd Regiment in a safe house in east-end Montreal. After two tension-filled weeks, the crisis was over when Cross was found and the FLQ terrorists were allowed to escape to Cuba. Meanwhile, Operation VEGAS was underway.
“Operation Vegas was an operation designed to entrap the leading Mafia dons conducting their business. Among the things that the [REDACTED] found, going back to 1969 was contacts by Laporte aides with the Mafia. They were asking for financial assistance for Laporte’s campaign for the Liberal leadership convention, held in January 1970. I was informed that Laporte himself had attended one of these meetings to finalize the details. On Nov. 8, I decided to fully brief Mr. Bourassa on our findings. Implicated in this affair was Jean-Jacques Saulnier [1]. Lucien [2] was well aware of his brother’s failings and did not need any further details. When the indictments were prepared, we had to consider how to gracefully ease M. Laporte out of Cabinet. As such, it proved impossible.”
Former Justice Minister Jerome Choquette interviewed by Bernard Derome [3], 1979
“There was no subtle way out of our dilemma. If I fired him prematurely, it would appear as if we were aiding in a cover-up. Thus I awaited Jerome’s announcement.”
- Former Premier Robert Bourassa interviewed, 1988
LAPORTE NETTED IN MAFIA BUST, EXPELLED FROM ASSEMBLY
Le Devoir, 5 déc. 1970
Jean-Claude Leclerc
QUEBEC
“The political world was rocked yesterday when labour minister Pierre Laporte was indicted for cooperation with organized crime in Quebec. The Crown believes that M. Laporte has ties to the mob, “being bought and paid for” by the Mafia. Among others indicted is Montreal police Chief Jean-Jacques Saulnier. Both men will face charges of corruption, tax fraud and embezzlement, with a prison sentence of up to thirty years expected.”
Translated from the French by L. Ian Macdonald, 1991
“If you had told me last year that Quebec would have a three-party political battlefield, which would see its oldest party reduced to penury, I’d have laughed in your face. Now I’m the one who had the last laugh.”
- Brian Mulroney interviewed, 1997
“The trial of Pierre Laporte opened on January 14, 1971. Quebec was unanimously tuned in, shocked that a man previously known as a reformer would be thoroughly corrupted. For older Quebecois, memories of the Public Accounts Committee in 1936, where Maurice Duplessis had destroyed Liberal credibility, came to mind. Laporte was of a far greater magnitude, for the deputy premier of Quebec had been in effect a paid tool of organized crime for nearly two years. Both Unionists and Pequistes made hay out of the trial, which only grew more sordid by the day.”
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
TOP SECRET
LAPORTE TRIAL TRANSCRIPT : 1 MARCH 1971
OPERATION VEGAS- ELECTRONIC SURVEILLANCE
OBTAINED: 11/5/69
LAPORTE: I need some cash.
[ANGELO LAZZO] Mr. Laporte, we need some assurances about your loyalty to our cause. If you win the leadership next week, can you assure us that we’ll be left alone?
LAPORTE: Nothing can be guaranteed, but I’ll do my best.
[ROMEO BUCCI] Specifically about the casinos, the meat industry, you know what I’m talking about.
LAPORTE: Of course. Even if I lose, which is likely if we don’t reach a deal, I’ll get the deputy premiership and the justice ministry. With me there and Saulnier in the Montreal chief’s job, there will only be cursory harassment: nothing for you to worry about.
[LAZZO] I should certainly hope so, otherwise the deal is off.
[1]: Montreal's Chief of Police, IOTL found incompetent and removed, ITTL somewhat worse.
[2]: Chairman of the Executive Committee, ie Deputy Mayor.
[3]: Dean of the National Assembly's press gallery.
Bucci/Lazio: senior capi in the Montreal organization.