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Diefenbaker Vs Pearson

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Diefenbaker Vs Pearson
Contemporary Canada -WDW102Y1Y
Peter Sanders
Iman Raghe
Diefenbaker vs Pearson

This essay seeks to compare and contrast the two administrations of John Diefenbaker and Lester B. Pearson from a historical point of view as well as shedding light on their honorable achievements. Diefenbaker was a former lawyer, while Pearson served as the second Canadian ambassador to the US, both had a military background in common. Aside from the obvious differences such as Diefenbaker representing the Progressive Conservatives and Pearson the Liberals, both Prime Ministers had different approaches to governing. The differences amongst the two governments included; the progressive Conservative focusing on the “little man” not the country as a whole while the Liberals focused on nation building having forgotten to build a relationship with their surroundings. Although they both served a term of six years as prime minister, with different political views both men strived for one major goal; maintaining Canada’s independence.

In 1957, John Diefenbaker was elected as the 13th Prime Minister of Canada along with his progressive Conservative party. This was Diefenbaker’s third attempt to come into administration and the first time the Progressive Conservatives (Tory’s) had been in office after 27 years. This was perceived as a great triumph for the party. It was under Diefenbaker’s authority that a female was appointed minister (Brown W) and an Aboriginal became a member of senate, both for the first time in Canadian history. Diefenbaker believed it was the government’s duty to help the minorities in Canada. “I was criticized for being too much concerned with the average Canadians. I can't help that; I am one of them!" Diefenbaker was quoted at the PC convention four years after he served his term as Prime Minister (Gower G). His achievements to keep Canada as an independent nation while in office included obtaining passage for the Bill of rights in 1960, granting votes to first

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