Learn / People who shaped Canada
John Diefenbaker
A prairie populist with the Bill of Rights, the Avro Arrow and a cabinet that fell apart.
Life story
- September 18, 1895 · Saskatchewan
Born at Neustadt, Ontario; the family homesteaded in Saskatchewan in 1903 - 1940 · Prince Albert, Saskatchewan
Elected to Parliament on his sixth attempt at public office - June 21, 1957 · Ottawa
Ended twenty-two years of Liberal government - March 31, 1958 · Ottawa
Won 208 of 265 seats, the largest majority in Canadian history to that point - February 20, 1959 · Malton, Ontario
Cancelled the Avro Arrow and 14,000 jobs went with it - August 10, 1960 · Ottawa
Passed the Canadian Bill of Rights and gave First Nations the federal vote - April 8, 1963 · Ottawa
Lost power over nuclear warheads for the Bomarc missiles - August 16, 1979 · Saskatoon
Died in Ottawa; buried beside the library bearing his name in Saskatoon
In the timeline
- 1959 — Black Friday and the Avro Arrow
- 1959 — The St. Lawrence Seaway opens
- 1960 — First Nations win the federal vote
- 1962 — The Trans-Canada Highway opens
- 1965 — The maple leaf flag