During the October Crisis of 1970, he agonized over the implementation of the War Measures Act, and was prepared to vote against it, but relented for the sake of keeping the Tory caucus united behind Robert Stanfield.
In the context of the October Crisis of 1970, he struggled with the decision to enact the War Measures Act, initially intending to oppose it, but ultimately agreed to support it for the sake of keeping his party's caucus united under Robert Stanfield.