Canada’s Cold War Prime Ministers …and beyond

Louis St. Laurent (Lib)

Known for… “megaprojects” claimed parts of the Arctic, displacing Inuits claimed parts of the Arctic, displacing Inuits St. Lawrence Seaway project, Trans- Canada St. Lawrence Seaway project, Trans- Canada highway trans-Canada natural gas pipeline highway trans-Canada natural gas pipeline 1949 Nfld became our 10th province 1949 Nfld became our 10th province

John Diefenbaker (Cons.)

Known as…. “The Chief” raised pensions for the elderly and disabled raised pensions for the elderly and disabled gave status Indians living on reserves the right to vote in federal elections gave status Indians living on reserves the right to vote in federal elections 1960 brought in the Canadian Bill of Rights putting all basic freedoms into law 1960 brought in the Canadian Bill of Rights putting all basic freedoms into law

Lester B. Pearson (Lib.)

Known for… Nobel Peace Prize –Suez Canal Crisis Nobel Peace Prize –Suez Canal Crisis appointed a Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism appointed a Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism Canada Pension Plan Canada Pension Plan Medicare for all Canadians Medicare for all Canadians flag debate -single red maple leaf was our official flag by 1964 flag debate -single red maple leaf was our official flag by 1964

Pierre Elliot Trudeau (Lib.)

Trudeaumania! Just society A “Just Society” - strong believer in individual freedom A “Just Society” - strong believer in individual freedom 1970 – officially recognized the People’s Republic of China 1970 – officially recognized the People’s Republic of China cut national defense budget cut national defense budget increased aid with poor countries increased aid with poor countries

“Living next to you is in some ways like sleeping with an elephant. No matter how friendly and even-tempered is the beast, if I can call it that, one is affected by every twitch and grunt. “

Brian Mulroney (Cons.)

Known for… 1992 – expanded free trade program in North America by including Mexico (NAFTA) 1992 – expanded free trade program in North America by including Mexico (NAFTA) introduced the GST, took away family allowances and old age pensions from the wealthy introduced the GST, took away family allowances and old age pensions from the wealthy believed that strengthening businesses in the private sector would help reduce the debt believed that strengthening businesses in the private sector would help reduce the debt

Kim Campbell (Cons.)

Jean Chretien

Known for… (besides ordering waffles ) came to power facing a staggering debt of $466 billion! came to power facing a staggering debt of $466 billion! cut education, health care,welfare, hospitals closed, university tuition rose, homelessness rose cut education, health care,welfare, hospitals closed, university tuition rose, homelessness rose 1998 – Chretien’s gov’t created a surplus! 1998 – Chretien’s gov’t created a surplus! Quebec separatism sentiments increased (Bloc Quebecois became official opposition in 1993) Quebec separatism sentiments increased (Bloc Quebecois became official opposition in 1993)