A diplomat had been kidnapped, a cabinet minister had been kidnapped, they were under threats of murder. The police forces were rather tired. After a whole week, we were unable to find those that had effected the kidnappings.
— Robert Bourassa
It seemed to be inadmissible to give in on such a fundamental point. This would have meant that any one who would have wanted to be a terrorist could gain eventually their freedom thanks to another kidnapping.
There was never in my mind a desire to give in on the subject of freeing the political prisoners.
I have always said that we did not expect a revolution in the streets.
One can always debate questions back and forth.
There was no censorship of the press: in general, the War Measures Act could have been made even more radical.
It is very difficult to know what may be in the back of the mind of public figures.
There is nothing more foreign to a civilised and democratic system than preventive detention.
You only need a few people to effect a kidnapping.