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Compare And Contrast Pearson And John Diefenbaker

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Prime Ministers of Change: Lester Pearson vs John Diefenbaker
Gandhi once said, “We must be the change we wish to see in the world.” Lester Pearson and John Diefenbaker are two of countless individuals who have put this advice to action. These two influential Prime Ministers have made multiple important changes to Canada and the world. Despite having different goals and priorities, both Prime Ministers have improved the lives of many and are considered important in Canadian history. Though John Diefenbaker has made numerous contributions that benefited the country, Lester Pearson made extensive and constructive changes that not only bettered Canada, but that also shaped our future and our identity, making him the more significant Prime Minister. …show more content…

He was known for his catchphrase, “One Canada, for all Canadians,”(Boutin 46) which sums up his goal to create a united Canada where Canadians, no matter race or nationality, are treated equally. Though he made numerous improvements to Canada, Diefenbaker was chiefly known for creating the Bill of Rights, a statement that recognizes and protects the human rights of individuals. After WWII, due to the internment of Japanese Canadians, the issue of defending human rights arose and in response, Diefenbaker introduced the Bill in 1960. The Bill identifies the rights of individuals to Huynh 2 life, liberty, personal security, and property, and protects freedoms of speech, religion, assembly, and association. It also assures legal rights including the right to counsel and fair hearing. This was an important accomplishment because it lead to the Charter of Rights and Freedoms …show more content…

One of Pearson’s goal was to strengthen relationships between French and English Canadians. On April 21 1963 when Quebec separatists placed a bomb in a Canadian army recruiting office killing a janitor, Pearson called for a royal commission to investigate bilingualism and biculturalism in Canada. From the recommendations made during the royal commission, Pearson created the Official Languages Act, which states that federal services such as federal courts and government ministries, must be offered in both English and French. This makes him significant, because bilingualism in Canada still exists today and is still an important part of our culture. On the other hand, Diefenbaker’s Bill of Rights got replaced in 1984, and none of his contributions reflect Canada’s culture or identity the way Pearson’s does. Though Canada is often regarded as the United States’ “little brother”, one thing that differentiates Canada from the US is their free health care system. Medicare, Canada’s universal health insurance, is only one of the changes Pearson introduced to Canada’s welfare state. Pearson also established the Canada Pension Plan in 1966 to support retired citizens, as well as the Canada Assistance Plan which funded welfare programs for the disabled and injured. At the time, Canada had a strong economy, making additions such as the Canada Student Loans Program and increased funding for university research possible. Not only did

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