Events The year sees a severe recession in the economy January 15 - Striking Quebec transit workers are forced back to work February - First reported cases of AIDS in Canada February 14 - 84 are killed when the Ocean Ranger oil platofrm capsizes March 8 - The Canada Act is passed by the British House of Commons April 17 - The new Constitution and Charter of Rights and Freedoms comes into effect April 26 - Saskatchewan election: Grant Devine's PCs win a landslide majority, defeating Allan Blakeney's NDP May 8 - Grant Devine becomes Premier of Saskatchewan after defeating Allan Blakeney's NDP May 9 - Gilles Villeneuve killed at the Belgian Grand Prix May 23 - Brother André Beatified by the Pope June 28 - Access to Information Act passed August 16 - Communications satellite Anik D launched October 5 - Laurie Skreslet becomes the first Canadian to have climbed Mount Everest October 31 - Marguerite Bourgeoys becomes Canada's first female Saint November 2 - Alberta election: Peter Lougheed's PCs win a fourth consecutive majority December 10 - Canada's 200-nautical-mile limit is officially recognized In a case concerning the development of the Hibernia Oil Field the Supreme Court rules that the continental shelf falls under federal jurisdiction Ed Mirvish purchases London's Old Vic theater Arts and literature New books Dig up My Heart - Milton Acorn Awards See 1982 Governor General's Awards for a complete list of winners and finalists for those awards. Books in Canada First Novel Award: Joy Kogawa, Obasan Gerald Lampert Award: Abraham Boyarsky, Schielber and Edna Alford, A Sleep Full of Dreams Pat Lowther Award: Rona Murray, Journey Stephen Leacock Award: Mervyn J. Huston, Gophers Don't Pay Taxes Tree Vicky Metcalf Award: Janet Lunn Film E released Dance Arnold Spohr wins the Dancemagazine Award Births Deaths May 9 - Gilles Villeneuve, race car driver October 4 - Glenn Gould, pianist October 18 - John Robarts, former Premier of Ontario November 29 - Percy Williams, athlete Igor Gouzenko
