KEVIN LIANG
Lester B. Pearson1963-1968
The Early Years
Lester Bowles Pearson was born in Newton Brook, Ontario in 1897
His father was a Methodist minister
Excellent athlete and student
Enrolled in history at the University of Toronto
Received the nickname Mike
Rise To Power
Joined the Department of foreign affairs
Became Canada’s Ambassador to the United States
He had an important part in founding both the United Nations and NATO
Won the Noble Peace Prize for defusing the Suez Crisis through the United Nations
Rise to Power cont’d
Won in seat in the House of Common for Algoma East under the Liberal Party
After St. Laurent’s resignation Pearson was elected leader of the Liberal Party
Became Prime Minister of Canada in the 1963 general election
Accomplishments as a PM
Accomplished many things under a minority government
Brought in Universal Healthcare, the Canada Pension Plan, and the Canada Student Loans
Established the new national flag, the Maple Leaf. Established legislations such as the 40-hour work
week, two weeks vacations time, and a new minimum wage
Improved Canada-US relationship Started a number of Royal Commissions Instituted a race-free immigration system
Issues that were Unsuccessfully Tackle
Unable to limit Conservative power during elections
Signed the Automotive Products Trade Agreement
Did not send troops to Vietnam
Deteriorated the situation between Canada and France
The Final Days
Announced on December 14, 1967 his retirement from politics
A new liberal leader was called: Pierre Trudeau
Served as Chancellor of Carleton University in Ottawa
Died in 1972 and was buried just north of Gatineau, Quebec
Lester B. Pearson’s Impact
“Pearson’s Canada is today’s Canada”
Established the things that made Canadians feel proud
Created a sense of nationalism
After Pearson, French was made an official language, and the Canadian government would provide services in both
Truly Great and Textbook Great
“The choice, however, is as clear now for nations as it was once for
the individual: peace or extinction”
Lester B. Pearson
Bibliography
Internet "Pearson-Profiles-First Among Equals." 2010.
<http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/2/4/h4-3350-e.html>. "Lester B. Pearson - MiniBio." Canadian Content. N.p., n.d. Web. 4
Jan. 2010. <http://www.canadiancontent.net/people/politics/Lester-B.-Pearson.html>.
"Lester B. Pearson - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 Jan. 2010. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki>
Book Cohen, Andrew. Lester B. Pearson. London: Penguin Canada,
2008. Print. Film Lester B. Pearson . Dir. Andrew Cohen. Perf. Andrew Cohen. TVO,
2009. Film.