John Diefenbaker: Most Influential Man In Canada

Tommy C. Douglas, a politician, Baptist minister, premier of Saskatchewan and first leader of the NDP party was the greatest Canadian. His family had provided a strong background for politics. When he had moved to Canada in 1919, he witnessed the Winnipeg General Strike. From there on, he became a Baptist Minister and the Premier of Saskatchewan in 1944.

John Diefenbaker was the last “old Tory” to be the Prime Minister of Canada. He was a member of the Conservative Party with deep values as well as being a British loyalist who supported the Queen. Diefenbaker was also a man that was well known for not supporting anything he thought was anti- British. This sentiment was most evident when Diefenbaker criticized the Liberal’s refusal to support Britain in the Suez Canal crisis and sided with the Americans. This loyalty the Diefenbaker had to the British Commonwealth would not serve him well as Prime Minister of Canada. In 1958, Diefenbaker would win the largest majority government in Canadian history upsetting the new leader of the Liberal Party, Lester B. Pearson, who had taken over for St.

John George Diefenbaker and Lester Bowles Pearson both acted as Prime Minister of Canada during the Cold War. The two were from different Canadian political parties that accorded to their beliefs and principles, Diefenbaker being a Progressive Conservative party member and Pearson a Liberal. Diefenbaker was leaning left as a Conservative, similarly to Eisenhower, who was presiding at the time, and thus shared a fair relationship with him, though the same could not be said for the US in general; Pearson’s administration presided also along a Democratic administration in the US, though they clashed often due to the American actions in the Vietnam War. Diefenbaker was elected to office as his party held the greatest proportion in the Parliament, however, he won only with a minority. During his administration, Diefenbaker implemented policies that were considered liberal, most of which he was able to pass, in contrast to Pearson, who only succeeded in passing near half of his due to the majority he lacked most times in the House of Commons. Both Diefenbaker and Pearson had political experience before they became PMs, they also share a similarity in that they attempted to solidify Canada as a nation and to remove the hyphenation in Canadian citizenship; both achieving success in varying extents. However, Diefenbaker shared differing views on Canadian dependence and

He was in charge for putting into action a universal healthcare system for all of Canada. “Canadians must have equal access to state-provided medical services. Parliament passed the Medical Care Act in 1966 but financial exigencies postponed its operation for a year”(English, 2005). This form of social welfare was different for the time compared to other countries. With the system that he implemented this has given Canadians a lot of freedom financially. This has changed Canadian citizens in a way where

Tommy Douglas is considered to be ‘the greatest Canadian,’ considering that he revolutionized the country because of the healthcare system, welfare benefits, and the bill of rights. Without Tommy's effort towards the benefit of Canada, we would be far from where we are today so much as even the little things he affected and changed created the biggest impact.

Pierre Trudeau has had an impact on the Canadian legal system and society by bringing more of an attraction to lower status groups, having an influence on others, and changing laws in Canada. Many Canadians believe Trudeau did not have a positive effect on Canada but as the minister of justice and the prime minister of Canada, he has succeeded in his attempt of making Canada a safer and established country for all. Under the social welfare measures in 1968, Trudeau made the Divorce Act a federal law which previously was a provincial jurisdiction. Pierre Trudeau’s first move as prime minister was giving French and English equal status in Canada and making them the languages of parliament for debates and records. After failing at many attempts

“The choice, however, is as clear now for nations as it was once for the individual: peace or extinction. ” 1 and Lester B. Pearson was definitely a man of peace. To those who don’t know who Lester B. Pearson is, he’s the fourteenth Prime Minister of Canada, that served from April 22. 1963 - April 20. 1968 2. During his time as Prime Minister, he’s accomplished many things, and that’s why I believe that Lester B. Pearson is the greatest Canadian.

Lester Bowles Pearson left the most outstanding and beneficial legacy on Canada. He was our Canadian Prime Minister from April 22, 1963 to April 20, 1968. Pearson helped make us grow as a country and brought us together as a nation. Pearson is the reason that Canada has its outstanding flag and the reason that Canadians have pension plans. Just a few of the important things he did to make Canada an amazing country were; putting universal Medicare into effect, passing the Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism, and he helped bring the Canadian and American Auto Pact into play. These are just a few of the lasting legacies that Lester Boweles Pearson left on our beautiful home country.

Anyone who lives or has relatives in Canada know that Canada is a young country that was established about 150 years ago. But a lot of people don’t know in the time span between the 150 years and now Canada (canadian figures) has accomplished many things that may have even shape the world we live in today. In the past 150 years a lot of things Canadian people did cannot even be forgotten, like the likes of Pierre Elliott Trudeau, Nellie Letitia McClung, and Harriet Tubman. Canada got their independence not that long ago and it all starts with a man name Pierre Elliott Trudeau. Pierre Elliott Trudeau has done many things how is today to be.

1960, August 10th Prime Minister John Diefenbaker made the first federal law in Canada to protect male and females freedom and rights. He made this law for the right of the people. So that they can legally speak up for themselves as a person, so they don't have to be unheard or not important, or disrespected. When they tried to get this law approved some of the judges disapproved this law. As this law has a lot of power. As this law made people be able to speak up, and have freedom (for their religion), to do things their way spiritual as long as they are respecting the law.

Throughout Canadian history, a plenty of figures appeared to be significant for the time being. However, out from this great number of candidates that may qualify for the most important Canadian in history, William Lyon Mackenzie King prevails. First elected in 1921 after the Borden's Unionist government failed, Mackenzie King served as the longest serving Canadian head of government ever, holding the office of prime minister for 22 years. During his premiership, Canada developed from an attacked British colony to a major international player, building cornerstones for the golden age of Canadian diplomacy. His war policy made Canada an important contributor in the Allied forces during the World War II, giving supports for British and other

Pierre Trudeau is the greatest Canadian of the twentieth century due to the fact that he declared Canada’s independence from Great Britain, he abolished the death penalty, and he created the Official Languages Act, making our nation entirely bilingual.

As one of the Canada’s greatest leaders, Pierre Elliot Trudeau brought change that would change Canada forever in a positive manner. Although it can be argued that Trudeau’s behavior was outlandish and informal at times, it could be considered charismatic, however, his behavior to politics was superior. He was inspired to change Canada and make it a better place to live. He did so by implying the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, multiculturalism, and using laws to make Canada a better place. Pierre Elliot Trudeau’s actions changed Canada for the better.

The definition of important is “having serious meaning or worth,” (Merriam- Webster’s Dictionary). Pierre Elliott Trudeau is the representation of this. Trudeau was born in Montreal to Joseph Charles Trudeau and Grace Elliott. Joseph was of French descent and Grace was of Scottish, therefore Trudeau was bilingual. He was appointed Minister of Justice and gained national attention for his social reforms. These include divorce laws, abortion, laws on homosexual marriage and regulations on public lotteries. Afterward, he became the 15th Prime Minister Of Canada. He was the Prime Minister from April 20th, 1968 to June 4th, 1979, and once more from March 3rd, 1980 to June 30th, 1984, obtaining the role after Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson. While he was the Prime Minister for 15 years in total where he accomplished many objectives that constructed Canada. Authors Geoff Pevere and Greig Dymond considered him to be “the greatest pop star this country has ever produced,” (O’Malley Martin, 2013.) He was arguably Canada’s best-known politician and was extremely special indeed. Pierre Elliott Trudeau was the most significant post-war Prime Minister because he unified Canada and reshaped the Canadian identity. He did this by establishing the Official Languages Act, stopped terrorism carried out by the Front de libération du Québec and enacted the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, all which are incredibly momentous for Canada.

Women being able to vote was a huge step forward for Canadian women, but even though they could run for certain political positions, they could not be Senators. During the early twentieth century women were not legally considered “persons” and could not be Senators (Women become Persons). This act of exclusion portrayed Canada as an immature nation. A milestone with significant importance occurred in the Persons Case. The first constitution of Canada was the BNA Act (British North America Act). In this constitution it referred to a group of people as “persons” but when one individual was referenced they used the word ‘he”. The constitution restricted women from holding public office. (History Canadian resources book) The act declared that “women are persons in matters of pain and penalties, but are not persons in matters of rights and privileges.” Therefore, women could be given the same penalties as men for breaking a law, but could not receive the same basic benefits that men could. Unfair legalities like this proves that Canada was