1. Presentation by James Turncliff

2. Early Life John as a young boy growing up in the Northwest Territories (Saskatchewan) attended many schools. John as a young boy growing up in the Northwest Territories (Saskatchewan) attended many schools. John had attended Universities and had gotten his BA and MA in political Science and Economics. John had attended Universities and had gotten his BA and MA in political Science and Economics. John had served in the first world war as the Canadian Expeditionary Force (March 1916 - July 1917). John had served in the first world war as the Canadian Expeditionary Force (March 1916 - July 1917). Marriage Marriage John had married his first wife in 1929 Edna Brower. John had married his first wife in 1929 Edna Brower. After the death of his first wife John had remarried to Olivia. Palmer who had a daughter from a previous marriage. After the death of his first wife John had remarried to Olivia. Palmer who had a daughter from a previous marriage. In 1919 John had become a defense lawyer. In 1919 John had become a defense lawyer. John had a tendency to represent poorer clients. John had a tendency to represent poorer clients. Seldom called defense witness. Seldom called defense witness. 20 murder cases and lost only 2 20 murder cases and lost only 2

3. Political Career 1920 elected as alderman for municipal council of Wakaw, Saskatchewan. 1920 elected as alderman for municipal council of Wakaw, Saskatchewan. Unsuccessful for re-election bid in 1923 Unsuccessful for re-election bid in 1923 He was unsuccessful at getting a seat in the house of commons in 1925 and 1926 He was unsuccessful at getting a seat in the house of commons in 1925 and 1926 He was appointed to Kings Council in 1929 He was appointed to Kings Council in 1929 In both 1929 and 1938 he was unsuccessful at obtaining a seat in legislature. In both 1929 and 1938 he was unsuccessful at obtaining a seat in legislature. He was first elected to parliament in 1940 for federal parliament. He was first elected to parliament in 1940 for federal parliament. He was one of a handful of Conservatives that had be from the western side of Canada. He was one of a handful of Conservatives that had be from the western side of Canada. John was leader of the Progressive Conservative Party from 1956 - 1967 John was leader of the Progressive Conservative Party from 1956 - 1967

4. Prime Minister of Canada 13 th PM of Canada 13 th PM of Canada Served 6 years as PM (1957 - 1963) Served 6 years as PM (1957 - 1963) Largest Majority Government in Canadian history. Largest Majority Government in Canadian history. Appointed first Native Senate member 1958 Appointed first Native Senate member 1958 Economic problems Economic problems Limited economic growth Limited economic growth Diefenbaker was also instrumental in bringing in the Canadian Bill of Rights in 1960. Diefenbaker was also instrumental in bringing in the Canadian Bill of Rights in 1960. 1960 saw the introduction of the Agricultural Rehabilitation and Development Act 1960 saw the introduction of the Agricultural Rehabilitation and Development Act 1960 appointed Ellen Fairclough the first woman Federal Cabinet Minister 1960 appointed Ellen Fairclough the first woman Federal Cabinet Minister Diefenbaker selected Georges Vanier as the first francophone Governor General Diefenbaker selected Georges Vanier as the first francophone Governor General Last thing done with Diefenbaker as PM was stopping from having nuclear war heads anywhere in Canada Last thing done with Diefenbaker as PM was stopping from having nuclear war heads anywhere in Canada

5. Party Leader and Member of Parliament Continued to lead Progressive Conservatives Continued to lead Progressive Conservatives Fears of dropping Diefenbaker: Fears of dropping Diefenbaker: Would raise Eastern results Would raise Eastern results But would loss seats that Diefenbaker brought in from the west But would loss seats that Diefenbaker brought in from the west Retained seat in parliament after being replaced as leader Retained seat in parliament after being replaced as leader Held his seat for twelve years before he died Held his seat for twelve years before he died

6. Death John Diefenbaker died on August 16 1979, due to heart failure John Diefenbaker died on August 16 1979, due to heart failure His body was shipped from Ottawa to Saskatoon by train for burial His body was shipped from Ottawa to Saskatoon by train for burial Thousands of Canadians lined the tracks and watched television to say farewell to “Dief” Thousands of Canadians lined the tracks and watched television to say farewell to “Dief” Buried at Centre at the University of Saskatchewan Buried at Centre at the University of Saskatchewan In his will, he had a special ceremony in place, so that the Maple Leaf flag was draped on his casket first, and then the Red Ensign that he had defended so intensely in Parliament was laid over it. In his will, he had a special ceremony in place, so that the Maple Leaf flag was draped on his casket first, and then the Red Ensign that he had defended so intensely in Parliament was laid over it. His state funeral was carried out as he had planned years earlier. His state funeral was carried out as he had planned years earlier.

7. Legacy Diefenbaker's legacy remains a controversial one. During his tenure, economically, the country fared poorly, but this could be ascribed to conditions elsewhere. However, his love for the "common man" and his near-universal stand for human rights seem to shed a more positive light: for example, he was one of the few dissenters in the internment of Japanese Canadians, led the fight against apartheid South Africa being in the Commonwealth, and extended the right to vote to status Indians.