Canadian Politics Canadian Politics During the1950s During the1950s

& 60s& 60s

Uncle Louis – 1949-1957Uncle Louis – 1949-1957 In 1948 William Lyon Mackenzie King retired In 1948 William Lyon Mackenzie King retired

as PM after almost a total of 22 years in officeas PM after almost a total of 22 years in office

Louis St. LaurentLouis St. Laurent succeeded King as leader of succeeded King as leader of the Liberal party and became PM in 1949 with a the Liberal party and became PM in 1949 with a majority election winmajority election win

The economic prosperity after WWII helped to The economic prosperity after WWII helped to solidify the popularity of the Liberal Partysolidify the popularity of the Liberal Party

Louis St. LaurentLouis St. Laurent

One of the main tasks for St. Laurent was to One of the main tasks for St. Laurent was to bring NFLD into the confederationbring NFLD into the confederation

After defeating anti-confederalists (lead by Joey After defeating anti-confederalists (lead by Joey Smallwood) in a referendum NFLD officially Smallwood) in a referendum NFLD officially joined Canada in 1949joined Canada in 1949

Joey Smallwood would become the first Premier Joey Smallwood would become the first Premier of Newfoundlandof Newfoundland

St. Lawrence SeawaySt. Lawrence Seaway

St. Laurent was also responsible for St. Laurent was also responsible for building the St. Lawrence Seaway – a building the St. Lawrence Seaway – a series of locks and channels that series of locks and channels that linked the Great Lakes to the Atlantic linked the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean.Ocean.

The economic prosperity of the 1950s and low The economic prosperity of the 1950s and low unemployment led to a second victory in the 1953 unemployment led to a second victory in the 1953 electionselections

St. Laurent’s government finally fell in 1957 after St. Laurent’s government finally fell in 1957 after forcing through an unpopular construction project forcing through an unpopular construction project to build a pipeline from the west to eastern Canadato build a pipeline from the west to eastern Canada

John Diefenbaker led the Conservatives to victory John Diefenbaker led the Conservatives to victory in the 1957 electionin the 1957 election

Avro ArrowAvro Arrow – Canada began building – Canada began building the world’s most advanced ‘supersonic’ the world’s most advanced ‘supersonic’ jet fighterjet fighter

Cost was much higher than anticipated – Cost was much higher than anticipated – rose from $2 million per plane to $12 rose from $2 million per plane to $12 million per planemillion per plane

Avro ArrowAvro Arrow

Dief the ChiefDief the Chief

John DiefenbakerJohn Diefenbaker Elected with a minority government in 1957Elected with a minority government in 1957

During his time as Prime Minister he cut taxes, During his time as Prime Minister he cut taxes, helped farmers, and raised senior pensionshelped farmers, and raised senior pensions

He was an excellent speaker and promised a He was an excellent speaker and promised a bright future and more jobs -- this made him very bright future and more jobs -- this made him very popular popular

In 1958 a new election was called and In 1958 a new election was called and Diefenbaker won with the largest majority in the Diefenbaker won with the largest majority in the history of Canadian politics history of Canadian politics (208 seats out of 265)(208 seats out of 265)

In 1960, Diefenbaker introduced and passed the In 1960, Diefenbaker introduced and passed the Canadian Bill of RightsCanadian Bill of Rights

He promoted development in the North and the He promoted development in the North and the WestWest

Diefenbaker was responsible for stopping the Diefenbaker was responsible for stopping the ‘Avro Arrow’ project – the development of a ‘Avro Arrow’ project – the development of a supersonic, interceptor jet aircraftsupersonic, interceptor jet aircraft

Approximately 28 000 Canadians lost their jobs Approximately 28 000 Canadians lost their jobs with the cut of this projectwith the cut of this project

Missile UproarMissile Uproar In the fall of 1958, Diefenbaker agreed to accept 56 In the fall of 1958, Diefenbaker agreed to accept 56

Bomarc missiles from the United States and deploy Bomarc missiles from the United States and deploy them in North Bay, Ontario and La Macaza, them in North Bay, Ontario and La Macaza, Quebec.Quebec.

Canada soon discovered the type of Bomarc missiles Canada soon discovered the type of Bomarc missiles it received was designed to hold nuclear warheads.it received was designed to hold nuclear warheads.

The missiles touched off anti-nuclear protests in the The missiles touched off anti-nuclear protests in the country, although Canada eventually accepted the country, although Canada eventually accepted the nuclear warheads on New Year's Eve, 1963.nuclear warheads on New Year's Eve, 1963.

During his time, the economy slowed and During his time, the economy slowed and Diefenbaker barely won a minority gov’t Diefenbaker barely won a minority gov’t in 1962in 1962

In 1963 Diefenbaker lost the election and In 1963 Diefenbaker lost the election and Lester B. Pearson, a Liberal, becomes Lester B. Pearson, a Liberal, becomes Prime Minister of CanadaPrime Minister of Canada

Lester B. PearsonLester B. Pearson

A New Canadian FlagA New Canadian Flag Pearson believed there was need to develop national Pearson believed there was need to develop national

symbols to help strengthen Canadians’ sense of symbols to help strengthen Canadians’ sense of identityidentity

He believed that one way to do this was by having a He believed that one way to do this was by having a new flag created that did not reflect Canada’s colonial new flag created that did not reflect Canada’s colonial pastpast

On February 15, 1965, the new Canadian flag was On February 15, 1965, the new Canadian flag was raised for the very first time.raised for the very first time.

The Pearson PennantThe Pearson Pennant

Pearson’s AccomplishmentsPearson’s Accomplishments

Nobel Peace Prize winnerNobel Peace Prize winner Introduced universal health care to all Introduced universal health care to all

CanadiansCanadians Interest-free student loansInterest-free student loans Bilingualism in Gvt buildings and servicesBilingualism in Gvt buildings and services Canada Pension PlanCanada Pension Plan Canada's flagCanada's flag All of these were done with a All of these were done with a minority gvtminority gvt