On a global spectrum, Canada isconsidered one of most-respectable countries. With its stable economy, abundance of natural resources, cultural and religious diversity, numerouspublic services, and governmental structure, the quality of life in Canada isundoubtedly amongst the best.
Throughoutthe years, the Canadian government has developed into a system that providesliberty, diversity and equality but this progression would have never takenplace had it not been for the leadership of certain Canadian citizens. JohnDiefenbaker and Lester B. Pearson can both equally be credited for thisrenowned reputation. This essay will illustrate some of the policies of eachpolitician and explore their durability. In addition, it will address thedetermination demonstrated throughout both of their political careers and thequantity of people they impacted. Throughout John Diefenbaker’soffice term he introduced several reforms supporting equality, many of whichinfluenced modern-day Canadian law and policies.
By creating the Canadian Billof Rights in 1960, he was the first Prime Minister to recognize fundamentalhuman rights in a federal statute. Now Canadian citizens enjoy the freedom andnational democracy from the similar Charter of Rights and Freedom. Additionally, Diefenbaker focused on the injustice surrounding the First Peoples. He was thefirst to promote federal Aboriginal leadership by appointing James Gladstone, the first Aboriginal Senate.
Together they granted the Aboriginal people the rightto vote without having to abandon their status under the Indian Act. As aresult, Aboriginal people gained more political recognition. Currently, thereare numerous Aboriginal activists groups including the Congress of AboriginalPeople representing non-status and Metis First Nations across the country. Healso supported women in politics by assigning Ellen Fairclough, the firstfemale minister. Together they adjusted immigration policies by introducingsponsorships and lifting quotas, thus promoting diversity. Today, Canada takesmuch pride in its multiculturalism and benefits from immigrant aid ininternational relations.
Lester. B. Pearson’s influencecan equally be seen in present society as well.
The elderly Canadian populationcontinue to avail from the Canadian Pension Plan, created by Pearson. Thisreform reduces financial stress and is being improved to include more even aid. Additionally, Pearson implemented the current Student loan program, providingpost-secondary students with sufficient financial assistance. As a result, low-income isn’t as great of an impediment in a student’s education path. Lastly, building onto Diefenbaker’s immigration policies, Pearson created thepoint-system, the world’s first discrimination free immigration structure.
The currentCanadian immigration system is based on this to encourage strong candidateswith proficient language abilities, work experience and education that can contributeto the Canadian economy as well as individuals seeking shelter from harmfulliving conditions. Both Diefenbaker and Pearson’s reforms and ideologies havebeen proven durable as Canadian society continues to benefit from them today. Despite, Diefenbaker’s andPearson’s contrasting personalities they shared the same politicaldetermination. Diefenbaker encountered failure early onto his politicalendeavour after 2 consecutive loses for MP in 1925 and 1926. Rather thanreturning to his steady job as a lawyer, Diefenbaker persisted through numerousdefeats. Finally in 1936 he led the Saskatchewan Conservative party only to win0 seats in the 1938 election.
In spite of the hindrances, he was finallyelected as Conservative Member of Parliament in 1940. Diefenbaker had manyopportunities to end his political career but his determination to serve as aleader and contribute to society brought him to the position as Prime Ministerin 1957. In office, he was determined to establish equality, change society’sperception on minority groups and encourage their activism by appointing a moredistinct cabinet including an Aboriginal Senate, a female and Ukrainianminister and introducing new reforms such as the Canadian Bill of Rights toreflect his beliefs. Similar to Diefenbaker, Lester.
BPearson also exhibited determination on numerous occasions. During the SuezCrisis, Pearson, the then Foreign Minister proposed the concept of peacekeepingmissions to neutralize the border between Egypt and Israel. Eventually aftercountless debates the UN accepted his pitch.
Had it not been for Pearson’sstrong will, perhaps modern peacekeeping would have ceased to exist and Canadawould have never been credited with such a remarkable invention. However, manywould consider the root of Pearson’s determination to be his envy for formerPrime Minister John Diefenbaker. After Diefenbaker was elected Prime Ministerin 1958, Pearson, the leader of opposition as well as the Social Credit membersof parliament continuously denounced Diefenbaker’s authority. Their harshcritic on various policies including grounding the Avro Arrow ultimately broughthis government down to a minority (116 out of 265 seats). Additionally, duringthe flag dispute, Pearson’s determination to eradicate any symbol of colonialties with Britain caused much controversy amongst the Conservatives.
After severalmonths of contention, Pearson’s persistence served him right as his idea wasimplemented, thus creating the modern Canadian flag. The overall determinationdemonstrated by Lester B. Pearson and John Diefenbaker helped to acceleratethem both in their respective political careers. During their time as PrimeMinister, John Diefenbaker and Lester B. Pearson influenced a large quantity ofCanadian citizens. On April 1957 John Diefenbaker authorized the HospitalInsurance and Diagnostic Act. Through this reform, patients were responsiblefor only a lowered general fee while the federal government regulated onaverage 50% of medical costs in majority of health institutions. Theadjustment, relived the financial burden for many who belonged to low or middleclass families.
However, his monetary decisions for the nation particularly in1962 were not favoured by civilians as they tolerated the repercussions of theailing economy. When Diefenbaker halted the progress of the Avro Arrow project, over 14, 000 employees in the aircraft industry were laid off in preference toAmerican Bormac missiles. Families without a steady income experienceddifficulties with managing utility payments and general bills. Additionally, in May 1962 Diefenbaker loweredthe exchange rate for the Canadian dollar to US $ 0. 925 causing a rise in the costs of living inCanada as prices for domestic products and services inflated to meet withprevious sales. Likewise, Lester b. Pearson’sleadership impacted many Canadians across the country. In 1966, alongside New Democratic Partyleader Tommy Douglass, Pearson developed Diefenbaker’s Hospital Insurance andDiagnostic Act by implementing the Medicare Act, providing federal payment ofnearly 50% of medical fees as well as universal insurance plans.
Consequently, public healthcare become more readily available as there was greater financialsecurity for citizens. Furthermore, Pearson helped stabilize the Canadian economythrough the creation of the Auto Pact in 1965. By eliminating tariffs in theauto industry, employment increased by 27% between 1965-67 as well as ensuredjob protection. Other businesses also benefitted from the salary growth aspeople could afford more supplementary products and services. Lastly, Pearsonwas a strong advocate for the large French-speaking portion of the population. By introducing the Royal Commission on Biculturalism and Bilingualism on July19, 1963, Pearson recognized the negligence of the French language. He alsoendorsed French political involvement by appointing 3 French activists, JeanMarchand, Gerard Pelletier and his successor Pierre Elliot Trudeau. Thisprovided an outlet for the French-Canadians to voice their concerns and opinions.
Both Lester. B. Pearson and John Diefenbaker’s leadership affected asignificant quantity of citizens. In conclusion, Lester B.
Pearsonand John Diefenbaker equally contributed to Canadian society. The durability ofboth their policies, the determination demonstrated throughout their respectivepolitical careers and the large quantities of people they influenced altogethermark them both as strong Canadian leaders. The dedication needed to govern acountry is not a quality any citizen is born with but rather developedovertime. Canada has been fortunate enough to experience numerous changes inthe past decades as a result of the influence of effective leaders like JohnDiefenbaker and Lester Pearson. Canada as a whole would have not been thehonourable nation it is today without citizens like them.
Exceedingeconomically, politically, governmentally and socially Canadian progressioncontinues today, improving the quality of life in Canada.