COMPARING COLD WAR PRIME MINISTERS

Louis St. Laurent Leadership Style:  “Uncle Louis”  Kind, gentle and calm person  Disliked Communism  Cold Warrior  Entered politics late in life  Business-like and efficient

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, Louis St. Laurent

Failures:  American Investment grew enormously.  People believed Canada had “sold out” to the Americans allowing too much US influence. Louis St. Laurent

Problems:  Lacked political experience.  Dealing with the post war economic boom. Louis St. Laurent

Leadership Style  “The Chief”  A powerful and emotional speaker.  Champion for the underdog. John Diefenbaker

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. John Diefenbaker

Failures:  Lost the trust of Canadians.  Cancelled Avro Arrow project John Diefenbaker

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. John Diefenbaker

Leadership Style:  A diplomat  Not a flamboyant leader.  Experienced in politics. Lester Pearson

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 Lester Pearson

Failures:  English Canadians were bitterly opposed to any policies that seemed to favour French Canadians and weaken the Federal government. Lester Pearson

Problems:  Pearson had a difficult time keeping strong ties with English Canadians. Lester Pearson

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,

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,

Failures:  Trudeau’s centralist views alienated the West and Quebec who wanted more power to go to the provinces. Pierre Elliot Trudeau 1968 – 1979,

Problems:  Did not care about the opposition and fought for his vision of Canada Pierre Elliot Trudeau 1968 – 1979,