Unit 4: How Did Changing Leaderships in Government Change Canada?

              Canadian citizens elected four Prime Ministers after World War II that would all change the way of life forever. Under Prime Minister Louis St. Laurent’s leadership, Canada saw Newfoundland enter the confederation as a province due to its declining economy and non-recovering fishing and lumber industries. He also announced a contract to build a pipeline to carry oil and natural gas from Alberta to Eastern Canada, while giving an $80 million loan to a mainly American-owned company. This created quite a controversy, and eventually John Diefenbaker of the Progressive Conservative Party was elected as the new Prime Minister of Canada. He had a vision for developing Canada’s North and pushed for a more united Canada, separate from Britain and the U.S. In 1960, Diefenbaker passed the Canadian Bill of Rights, which provided certain legal protections such as the freedom of speech, religion, and the press. Soon, Canada needed a new leader, and leader of the Liberal Party Lester Pearson was elected as the new Prime Minister. He introduced the Canada Pension Plan, the Canada Assistance Plan, Medicare and a social safety net, all of which are roots of existing programs today. Prime Minister Pearson was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for creating the Peacekeeper, which Canada is still known as to this day. Pierre Trudeau was elected as Prime Minister following Pearson. He brought a new, young, controversial image to Canadian politics. Although he danced and swore on live television, Pierre Trudeau introduced a new Canadian flag to help unite French and English Canadians. He also led the government through its first invocation of the War Measures Act since World War II, in the October Crisis in Quebec. He also created the Canadian Charter of Rights, a constitutional document ensuring equal Canadian rights for all citizens of Canada. These Prime Ministers shaped Canada to what it is today, a great, free independent nation.