COMPARING COLD WAR

PRIME MINISTERS

Louis St. Laurent - 1948 - 1957

Leadership Style: “Uncle Louis” Kind, gentle and calm

person Disliked Communism Cold Warrior Entered politics late in life Business-like and efficient

Achievements: Encouraged Newfoundland

to join Canada. Developed natural

resources. St. Lawrence Seaway, Trans-

Canada Highway, and trans-Canada pipeline

Promoted NATO Led Canada into the Korean

WarPrime Minister St. Laurent (on the far right) at the breaking ground ceremony for the St. Lawrence Seaway, August, 1955.

Louis St. Laurent - 1948 - 1957

Failures: American Investment grew

enormously. People believed Canada had

“sold out” to the Americans allowing too much US influence.

Louis St. Laurent - 1948 - 1957

Problems: Lacked political experience. Dealing with the post war

economic boom.

Louis St. Laurent - 1948 - 1957

Leadership Style “The Chief” A powerful and emotional

speaker. Champion for the

underdog.

John Diefenbaker - 1957 - 1963

Achievements: Pensions for the elderly,

disabled and war veterans were raised.

Aid given to the Maritime and Prairie provinces.

Developed the North and created jobs.

Passed the Canadian Bill of Rights.

John Diefenbaker - 1957 - 1963

Failures: Lost the trust of Canadians. Cancelled Avro Arrow

project

John Diefenbaker - 1957 - 1963

Problems: Did not listen to anyone. His emotional style would

upset some Canadians. Had no clear plan on how to

govern Canada. Alienated members of his

own party. Poor relations with the U.S.

John Diefenbaker - 1957 - 1963

Leadership Style: A diplomat Not a flamboyant leader. Experienced in politics.

Lester Pearson - 1963 - 1968

Achievements: Appointed the Royal

Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism to improve relations between French and English Canadians.

Tried to improve federal-provincial relations with shared cost programs

Introduced Canada Pension Plan.

Introduced Medicare. Introduced the flag in 1965.

Lester Pearson - 1963 - 1968

Failures: English Canadians were

bitterly opposed to any policies that seemed to favour French Canadians and weaken the Federal government.

Lester Pearson - 1963 - 1968

Problems: Pearson had a difficult time keeping strong ties with English

Canadians.

Lester Pearson - 1963 - 1968

Leadership Style: “Trudeaumania” “Rock Star” Young, athletic and wealthy

bachelor Brilliant scholar and lawyer. World traveler Charismatic and media

savvy Adaptable and tough

Pierre Elliot Trudeau 1968 – 1979, 1980 - 1984

Achievements: Promoted a Just Society Made many young Canadians

interested in politics. Believed in a strong federal

government. Introduced bilingualism

(Official Languages Act) Improved benefits for the

poor and elderly. Kept energy prices down. Fought American investment. Patriated the Constitution.

Pierre Elliot Trudeau 1968 – 1979, 1980 - 1984

Failures: Trudeau’s centralist views

alienated the West and Quebec who wanted more power to go to the provinces.

Pierre Elliot Trudeau 1968 – 1979, 1980 - 1984

Problems: Did not care about the opposition and fought for his vision of

Canada

Pierre Elliot Trudeau 1968 – 1979, 1980 - 1984