COMPARING COLD WAR PRIME MINISTERS
Kind, gentle and calm person Disliked Communism Cold Warrior 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
Encouraged Newfoundland to join Canada. Developed natural resources. Louis St. Laurent - 1948 - 1957 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 War Prime Minister St. Laurent (on the far right) at the breaking ground ceremony for the St. Lawrence Seaway, August, 1955.
American Investment grew enormously. Louis St. Laurent - 1948 - 1957 Failures: American Investment grew enormously. People believed Canada had “sold out” to the Americans allowing too much US influence.
Lacked political experience. Dealing with the post war economic boom. Louis St. Laurent - 1948 - 1957 Problems: Lacked political experience. Dealing with the post war economic boom.
A powerful and emotional speaker. Champion for the underdog. John Diefenbaker 1957-1963 Leadership Style “The Chief” A powerful and emotional speaker. Champion for the underdog.
Pensions for the elderly, disabled and war veterans were raised. 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.
Lost the trust of Canadians. Cancelled Avro Arrow project John Diefenbaker 1957-1963 Failures: Lost the trust of Canadians. Cancelled Avro Arrow project
Did not listen to anyone. 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.
Not a flamboyant leader. Experienced in politics. Lester Pearson 1963-1968 Leadership Style: A diplomat Not a flamboyant leader. Experienced in politics.
Introduced Canada Pension Plan. Introduced Medicare. 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.
Pierre Elliot Trudeau 1968 – 1979, 1980 - 1984 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