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JOHN DIEFENBAKER (1957-63)

Louis st . laurent (1948-1957). JOHN DIEFENBAKER (1957-63). Liberal Party Wanted closer ties with the United States. First Conservative PM in 22 years Formed a minority gov’t in 1957. Background. Diefenbaker – first conservative prime minister in 22 years in 1957 election

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JOHN DIEFENBAKER (1957-63)

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  1. Louis st. laurent (1948-1957) JOHN DIEFENBAKER (1957-63) • Liberal Party • Wanted closer ties with the United States

  2. First Conservative PM in 22 years • Formed a minority gov’t in 1957

  3. Background • Diefenbaker – first conservative prime minister in 22 years in 1957 election Minority government • Leading in the polls + Liberals holding leadership convention therefore..  Diefenbaker called election in 1958 • Largest majority in Canadian history taking 208/265 seats

  4. Social & Political Policies • “unhyphenated Canadianism” – new vision of citizenship of neither English-Canadian nor French-Canadian, simply Canadian • March 29, 1958- his first speech as PM to the House of Commons: “I am the first prime minister of this country of neither English or French origin. So I am determined to bring about a Canadian Citizenship that knew no hyphenated consideration. I’m very happy to be able to say that in the House of Commons today in my party we have members of Italian, Dutch, German, Scandinavian, Chinese and Ukrainian origin– and they are all Canadians.”

  5. Social & Political Policies • Canadian Bill of Rights (1960) - Freedom of speech - Freedom of religion - The Right to life, liberty & security - The right to enjoyment of property - The right to counsel • Pros: precursor to Canadian Charter of Freedoms & Rights • Criticisms: not a constitutional amendment, govt overstepping boundaries, other federal statutes

  6. Social & Political Policies • Gave First Nation’s right to vote in federal election • In 1867 Constitution, First Nation’s people could vote if they gave up their treaty rights and Native Status • Hence this policy meant they could vote and keep their status

  7. ECONOMIC POLICIES • Advocated a “Northern dream” to open up the north to development • Promoted regional development building dams in Saskatchewan railroad expansion in the hinterlands • Attended areas that the Liberals had ignored or forgotten (notably Quebec) • He offered voters a “made-in-Canada” vision of the future which was a distinctive shift in style from thead hoc managerial approach of the Liberals (done when needed with no planning) • Greatest achievements: granting the franchise to the First Nation

  8. ECONOMIC POLICIES.. Cont’d - Diefenbaker was focus was on Latin America because of many international pressures (US and various Latin American nations) - Dief. saw this as an opportunity to expand Canadian economic and political interests in the region- Natural Resources Policy: “every encouragement must be given to the processing of domestic raw materials in Canada to a much greater degree than exists today, in order that our resources may be utilized to the maximum advantage of the Canadian people.” - National Energy Board: advise/recommends proposals regarding these resources, so that they may be safeguarded from prejudicial and ill-timed action for the use of Canadians in this and future generations.

  9. Primary Document “This national development policy will create a new sense of national purpose and national destiny. One Canada. One Canada, wherein Canadians will have preserved to them the control of their own economic and political destiny. Sir John A. Macdonald gave his life to this party. He opened the West. He saw Canada from East to West. I see a new Canada - a Canada of the North. What are these new principles? What are our objectives? What do we propose? We propose to assist the provinces, with their co-operation, in the financing and construction of job-creating projects necessary for the new development, where such projects are beyond the resources of the provinces. We will assist the provinces with their cooperation in the conservation of the renewable natural resources. We will aid in projects which are self-liquidating. We will aid in projects which, while not self-liquidating will lead to the development of the national resources for the opening of Canada's northland. We will open that northland for development by improving transportation and communication and by the development of power, by the building of access roads. We will make an inventory of our hydroelectric potential.” - "A New Vision" speech by John G. Diefenbaker at the Civic Auditorium, Winnipeg, 12 February 1958

  10. Canada + United Kingdom Establish closer ties with Britain Diefenbaker’s Goal: • Diefenbaker made a public commitment to divert 15% of Canada’s foreign trade from United States to Britain Establish closer ties with Britain $600,000,000  BRITAIN

  11. Canada + United Kingdom • Needed to reduce tariffs, but Canadian manufacturers wouldn’t benefit • Britain suggested free trade w/ Canada • Diefenbaker did not agree  Britain = embarrassed Diefenbaker loses credibility in U.K

  12. Canada + United States Eisenhower + Diefenbaker = STRONG  they shared similar views

  13. Canada + United States • Kennedy + Diefenbaker = WEAK • American officials were unhappy with Diefenbaker’s initial election b/c of anti- Americanism talks

  14. Canada + United States UNITED NATIONS – 1945 NATO – 1949 NORAD – 1957 • 56 missiles deployed in Ontario & Quebec • Found out they had to have nuclear warheads attached to them  controversial • Missiles = useless While Kennedy believed in nuclear missiles for protection, Diefenbaker felt that it would escalate tensions even further

  15. 1959 Avro Arrow Project Under the Liberals, Canada promised to create a military defence jet called the Avro Arrow faster + more advanced **designed for the purpose of defeating the threat of Soviet bombers Costs for this project were tremendous 1959, Diefenbaker government cancelled the development of the Avro Arrow

  16. Avro Arrow- 1959 • Talented Canadian scientists + engineers moved to the U.S to work in American aerospace companies • 14,000 employees = fired • Low morale • Negative public reaction led to Diefenbaker’s defeat

  17. Conclusion Successes Failures Unemployment Poor relations with Britain + United States Devalued dollar Cancellation of Avro Arrow Minority government • Cut taxes • Helped farmers • Raised senior pensions • Excellent speaker • Promoted bright futures + jobs • Secured rights to all (Canadian Bill of Rights, 1960)  Although he worked hard to issue better conditions in Canada, he only failed because his vision was much larger than his ability!

  18. Works Cited • https://www.historica-dominion.ca/content/heritage-minutes/avro-arrow?media_type=41& • http://www.prime-ministers.ca/diefenbaker/bio_2.php • http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/articles/john-diefenbaker • http://www3.sympatico.ca/goweezer/canada/diefenbaker.htm • http://faceintheblue.wordpress.com/2010/05/13/diefenbaker/ • http://www.biographi.ca/009004-119.01-e.php?id_nbr=7990

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