By 1970, though, the group had been weakened by arrests and was frustrated at their lack of progress. The remaining members decided to change tactics.
A faction led by Lanctôt hoped to ignite support for the FLQ s cause by kidnapping a public figure. They settled on Cross after determining the U.S. consul was too well protected.
Cross was walking to the bathroom in his underpants early on the morning of Oct. 5 when the kidnappers forced their way into his stately home on Redpath Crescent.
Soldiers took over guard duty, Oct. 16, 1970 at the Montreal home of British Trade Commissioner James Cross, one of the two political hostages whose kidnapping by the FLQ has brought on the use of the War Measures Act in Canada, never before used during peace.(The Canadian Press)