The life and times of John Diefenbaker Ilyaas Osman Sr.Kashfia Grade 10 The life and times of John Diefenbaker “I am a Canadian, free to speak without fear, free to worship in my own way, free to stand for what I think right, free to oppose what I believe wrong, or free to choose those who shall govern my country. This heritage of freedom I pledge to uphold for myself and all mankind.”

Who is he? John Diefenbaker was chosen to succeed George Drew as leader of the Conservative Party in 1956. John George Diefenbaker, prime minister 1957–63, lawyer, politician (born 18 September 1895 in Neustadt, ON; died 16 August 1979 in Ottawa, ON). Long story short, he was the 13 Prime Minister of Canada.

John Diefenbaker Born: john George Diefenbaker was born September 18,1895 DIED: AUGEST 16,1979(AGE 73) *interesting fact: His nickname was “dief the chief”

Early life and education: The Diefenbaker family moved west in 1903, for his father to accept a position near Fort Carlton, then in the Northwest Territories (now in Saskatchewan). John Diefenbaker had been interested in politics from an early age, and told his mother at the age of eight or nine that he would some day be Prime Minister. After graduating from high school in Saskatoon, in 1912, Diefenbaker entered the University of Saskatchewan. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1915, and his Master of Arts the following year.

Career: He ran for Parliament in 1925 and 1926, losing both times. He lost races for the provincial legislature in 1929 and for mayor of Prince Albert in 1933. As party leader, he led the Saskatchewan Conservatives to complete defeat in 1938. They won no seats. Once he was finally elected to Ottawa in 1940, he sat in opposition for 17 years, he championed the rights of “average” Canadians and upset wealthy Tory supporters. Diefenbaker became Canada’s 13th Prime Minister in 1957 when he defeated Louis St. Laurent’s astonished Liberals.

Dief’s family *Interesting fact: Diefenbaker married twice!!! His first wife is olive Diefenbaker & his second wife being Edna Diefenbaker Although he married twice he never had a child.

John Diefenbaker highlights: appointed Ellen Fairclough the first Canadian woman federal cabinet minister 1957 Canadian Bill of Rights 1960 vote extended to native peoples in Canada 1960 Royal Commission on Health Services 1961 Agriculture Rehabilitation and Development Act 1961 found market in China for prairie wheat created National Productivity Council 1963 expanded old age pensions introduced simultaneous translation in House of Commons

John Diefenbaker Achievements/Accomplishments: Won a Commons seat in the Opposition, 1940. Elected leader of the Opposition, 1956-1957. Won a minority government, 1957. Appointed Ellen Fairclough as Canada's first female Cabinet Minister, 1957. Won a majority government with the greatest number of seats in Canadian history, and 1958. Appointed James Gladstone as Canada's first Aboriginal senator, 1958. Passed the Canadian Bill of Rights, 1960. Passed the Royal Commission on Health Services, 1961. Created the Agricultural Rehabilitation and Development Act, 1961. Diefenbaker's anti-apartheid statement, 1961, contributed to South Africa withdrawing from the Commonwealth. Reduced to a minority government, 1962. Created the National Productivity Council (Economic Council of Canada), 1963.

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