The Right Honourable, Lester Bowles Pearson  PC CC OBE OM
Lester B. The Right Honourable (abbreviated as The Rt Hon) is an Honorific prefix that is traditionally applied to certain The Nobel Peace Prize ( Swedish, Danish and Nobels fredspris is one of five Nobel Prizes Bequeathed by the Swedish industrialist and inventor The Queen's Privy Council for Canada (QPC (Conseil privé de la Reine pour le Canada (CPR sometimes called Her Majesty's Privy Council for Canada or the Privy Council The Order of Canada is the highest civilian honour within the Canadian system of honours, with membership awarded to those who exemplify the order's Latin The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British Order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by King George V. The Order of Merit is a British and Commonwealth Order bestowed by the Monarch. Pearson, 1944
14th Prime Minister of Canada
In office April 22, 1963 – April 20, 1968
Monarch	Elizabeth II
Preceded by	John Diefenbaker
Succeeded by	Pierre Trudeau
Born	April 23 1897 (1897 -04-23) Newtonbrook, Ontario
Died	December 27, 1972 (aged 75) Ottawa, Ontario
Political party	Liberal
Spouse	Maryon Pearson
Children	Geoffrey Pearson
Alma mater	MA (Oxon) BA (Oxon) BA (Tor)
Profession	Diplomat, Academic
Religion	United Church of Canada

Lester Bowles "Mike" Pearson PC OM CC OBE (23 April 1897 – 27 December 1972) was a Canadian statesman, diplomat and politician who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1957. The Prime Minister of Canada ( French: Premier ministre du Canada) is the primary Minister of the Crown, chairman of the Cabinet, and thus Events 1500 - Portuguese Navigator Pedro Álvares Cabral becomes the first European to sight Brazil. Year 1963 ( MCMLXIII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1303 - The University of Rome La Sapienza is instituted by Pope Boniface VIII. Year 1968 ( MCMLXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. For the ship see RMS Queen Elizabeth 2 Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Context States headed by Elizabeth II Events 215 BC - A temple is built on the Capitoline Hill dedicated to Venus Erycina to commemorate the Roman defeat at Year 1897 ( MDCCCXCVII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Common Newtonbrook is a neighbourhood in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. In the nineteenth century it was a separate municipality Ontario (ɒnˈtɛrioʊ is a province located in the central part of Canada, the largest by population and second largest after Quebec Events 537 - The Hagia Sophia is completed 1512 - The Spanish Crown issues the Laws of Burgos, governing the Year 1972 ( MCMLXXII) was a Leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Ottawa (ˈɒtəwə or sometimes /ˈɒtəwɑː/ is the Capital of Canada and the country's fourth largest municipality. Ontario (ɒnˈtɛrioʊ is a province located in the central part of Canada, the largest by population and second largest after Quebec The Liberal Party of Canada ( Parti libéral du Canada) colloquially known as the Grits (originally " Clear Grits " is a major Canadian political Maryon Elspeth Pearson, née Moody (born 1901 Winnipeg Manitoba - died December 26 1989, Toronto Ontario) was the wife of Geoffrey Arthur Holland Pearson OC ( December 24, 1927 &ndash March 18, 2008) was a Canadian diplomat Alma mater is Latin for "nourishing mother" It was used in Ancient Rome as a title for the mother Goddess, and in Medieval Diplomacy is the art and practice of conducting Negotiations between representatives of groups or states The United Church of Canada was founded in 1925 as a merger of four Christian denominations two thirds of the Presbyterian Church in Canada (then the largest Canadian Protestant The Queen's Privy Council for Canada (QPC (Conseil privé de la Reine pour le Canada (CPR sometimes called Her Majesty's Privy Council for Canada or the Privy Council The Order of Merit is a British and Commonwealth Order bestowed by the Monarch. The Order of Canada is the highest civilian honour within the Canadian system of honours, with membership awarded to those who exemplify the order's Latin The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British Order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by King George V. Events 215 BC - A temple is built on the Capitoline Hill dedicated to Venus Erycina to commemorate the Roman defeat at Year 1897 ( MDCCCXCVII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Common Events 537 - The Hagia Sophia is completed 1512 - The Spanish Crown issues the Laws of Burgos, governing the Year 1972 ( MCMLXXII) was a Leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Country to "Dominion of Canada" or "Canadian Federation" or anything else please read the Talk Page A statesman or stateswoman or statesperson is usually a Politician or other notable figure of State who has had a long and respected career in Diplomacy is the art and practice of conducting Negotiations between representatives of groups or states A politician (from Greek " Polis " is an individual who is involved in influencing public decision making through the influence of Politics or a person The Nobel Peace Prize ( Swedish, Danish and Nobels fredspris is one of five Nobel Prizes Bequeathed by the Swedish industrialist and inventor Year 1957 ( MCMLVII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1957 Gregorian calendar) He was also the fourteenth Prime Minister of Canada from April 22, 1963, until April 20, 1968, as the head of two back-to-back minority governments following elections in 1963 and 1965. The Prime Minister of Canada ( French: Premier ministre du Canada) is the primary Minister of the Crown, chairman of the Cabinet, and thus Events 1500 - Portuguese Navigator Pedro Álvares Cabral becomes the first European to sight Brazil. Year 1963 ( MCMLXIII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1303 - The University of Rome La Sapienza is instituted by Pope Boniface VIII. Year 1968 ( MCMLXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. During the history of Canadian politics there have been eleven minority governments on the federal level in ten separate minority Parliaments (in one case there were two An election is a Decision-making process by which a population chooses an individual to hold formal office The Canadian federal election of 1963 was held on April 8 to elect members of the Canadian House of Commons of the 26th Parliament of Canada The Canadian federal election of 1965 was held on November 8 to elect members of the Canadian House of Commons of the 27th Parliament of

During his time as Prime Minister, Pearson's minority government introduced universal health care, student loans, the Canada Pension Plan, the Order of Canada, and the current Canadian flag. This article refers to medicare a name for Canada's publicly-funded health insurance system for hospital and physician services Student loans in Canada help post-secondary students pay for their education in Canada. The Canada Pension Plan ( CPP) is a contributory earnings-related Social insurance program The Order of Canada is the highest civilian honour within the Canadian system of honours, with membership awarded to those who exemplify the order's Latin The National Flag of Canada, also known as the Maple Leaf, and fr l'Unifolié ( French for "the one-leafed" is a red Flag During his tenure, Prime Minister Pearson also convened the Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism. The Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism was a Canadian Royal commission established on July 19, 1963, by the government of With these accomplishments, together with his groundbreaking work at the United Nations, and in international diplomacy, Pearson can safely be regarded as one of the most influential Canadians of the twentieth century.

Early years

Pearson was born in Newton Brook, Ontario (now a neighbourhood of Toronto), the son of Edwin Arthur Pearson, a Methodist (later United Church of Canada) minister and Anne Sarah Bowles. Newtonbrook is a neighbourhood in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. In the nineteenth century it was a separate municipality Ontario (ɒnˈtɛrioʊ is a province located in the central part of Canada, the largest by population and second largest after Quebec Toronto (təˈrɒntoʊ colloquially pronounced or) is the largest city in Canada and is the provincial capital of Ontario Methodism is a movement within Protestant Christianity represented by a number of denominations and organizations The United Church of Canada was founded in 1925 as a merger of four Christian denominations two thirds of the Presbyterian Church in Canada (then the largest Canadian Protestant He entered Victoria College at the University of Toronto in 1914, where he lived in residence in Gate House and shared a room with his brother Duke. Victoria University ("Vic" for short is a Federated school of the University of Toronto, consisting of Victoria College and Emmanuel College This article is about the University of Toronto's St George Campus Gate House is one of the four Upper Houses of the Burwash Hall residence at Victoria College in the University of Toronto. While at the University of Toronto, he joined the Delta Upsilon Fraternity. Delta Upsilon ( ΔY) is the 6th oldest international all-male college Greek-letter social fraternity and is the first non-secret fraternity ever He was subsequently elected to the Pi Gamma Mu social science honor society's chapter at the University of Toronto for his outstanding scholastic performance in history and sociology. 'Pi Gamma Mu' or ΠΓΜ (from Πολιτικές Γνώσεως Μάθεται) is the oldest and preeminent Honor society in the Social sciences At the university, he became a noted athlete, excelling in rugby union and playing for the Oxford University Ice Hockey Club. Overview See also Playing rugby union A rugby union match lasts for 80 minutes (plus stoppage time with a short Oxford University Ice Hockey Club, sometimes known as Oxford Blues, is one of the world's oldest Ice hockey teams Pearson also starred in baseball and lacrosse as a youth, frequently played golf and tennis as an adult, and so had the most intense and wideranging sporting interests of any Canadian prime minister. Baseball is a Bat-and-ball Sport played between two teams of nine players each Lacrosse is a full contact Team sport played using a solid rubber ball and long handled racket called a crosse or Lacrosse stick. Tennis is a sport played between two players ( singles) or between two teams of two players each ( doubles) ^[1]

First World War

When the First World War broke out in 1914, he volunteered for service as a Medical Orderly with the University of Toronto Hospital Unit. World War I (abbreviated WWI; also known as the First World War, the Great War, and the War to End All In 1915, he undertook overseas service with the Canadian Army Medical Corps as a stretcher bearer with the rank of Private and had a subsequent commissioning to the rank of Lieutenant. During this period of service he spent two years in Egypt and Greece. This article is about the country of Egypt For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Egypt topics. Greece (Ελλάδα transliterated: Elláda, historically, Ellás,) officially the Hellenic Republic (Ελληνική Δημοκρατία In 1917, Pearson transferred to the Royal Flying Corps (as the Royal Canadian Air Force did not exist at that time), where he served as a Flying Officer until being sent home with injuries from two accidents; while training as a pilot at an air training school in Hendon, England, Pearson survived an airplane crash during his first flight. The Royal Flying Corps (RFC was the over-land air arm of the British military during most of the First World War. Unfortunately, in 1918, he was hit by a London bus during a blackout and was sent home as an invalid to recuperate and then discharged from the service. It was as a pilot that he received the nickname of "Mike", given to him by a flight instructor who felt that "Lester" was too mild a name for an airman. Thereafter, Pearson would use the name "Lester" on official documents and in public life, but was always addressed as "Mike" by friends and family. ^[2]

Interwar years

Ice hockey in Europe; Oxford University vs. Switzerland, 1922. Future Canadian Prime Minister Lester Pearson is at right front. His nickname from the Swiss was 'Herr Zig-Zag'.

After the war, he returned to school, receiving his BA from the University of Toronto in 1919. Upon receiving a scholarship, he studied at St John's College (Oxford University), where he received a Second-Class BA in modern history in 1923 and the MA in 1925. __FORCETOC__ St John's College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom. The University of Oxford (informally "Oxford University" or simply "Oxford" located in the city of Oxford, Oxfordshire, England is the This article concerns the degrees of the University of Oxford. In 1925, he married Maryon Moody (1901-1989), who was one of his students. Maryon Elspeth Pearson, née Moody (born 1901 Winnipeg Manitoba - died December 26 1989, Toronto Ontario) was the wife of Together they had one daughter, Patricia and one son, Geoffrey. Geoffrey Arthur Holland Pearson OC ( December 24, 1927 &ndash March 18, 2008) was a Canadian diplomat After Oxford, he returned to Canada and taught history at the University of Toronto, where he also coached the Varsity Blues Canadian football team, and the Varsity Blues men's ice hockey team. Coach (baseball|Coach (basketball|Coach (ice hockeyIn Sports a coach or manager is an individual involved in the direction instruction and training of the operations The Varsity Blues is the name for the intercollegiate sports program at the University of Toronto. In accordance with the Manual of Style (see) Canadian English is used throughout this article (see Canadian_English#Spelling) Senior team The Varsity Blues graduates were a successful OHA Senior "A" team in the 1920s and 1930s ^[3]

Diplomat

After scoring the top marks on the Canadian foreign service entry exam, he then embarked on a career in the Department of External Affairs. The Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT more commonly known as Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada is a department in the Government ^[4] Pearson was posted to London in the late 1930s, and served there as World War II began in 1939, until 1942 as the second-in-command at Canada House, where he coordinated military supply and refugee issues, serving under High Commissioner Vincent Massey. London ( ˈlʌndən is the capital and largest urban area in the United Kingdom. World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including Charles Vincent Massey PC CC CH CD FRSC ( February 20, 1887 – December 30, ^[5] Pearson returned to Ottawa for a few months. Ottawa (ˈɒtəwə or sometimes /ˈɒtəwɑː/ is the Capital of Canada and the country's fourth largest municipality. He was then posted to Washington, D.C., where he served as second-in-command for nearly two years, and then became Canada's ambassador to the United States on January 1, 1945. Washington DC ( formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, the District, or simply D ^[6] He had an important part in founding both the United Nations and NATO. The United Nations ( UN) is an International organization whose stated aims are to facilitate cooperation in International law, International security The North Atlantic Treaty During the Second World War, he once served as a courier with the codename "Mike. World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including " He went on to become the first director of Signal Intelligence.

Political career

In 1948, Prime Minister Louis St. Laurent appointed Pearson Minister of External Affairs in the Liberal government. The Prime Minister of Canada ( French: Premier ministre du Canada) is the primary Minister of the Crown, chairman of the Cabinet, and thus Louis Stephen St-Laurent PC CC QC ( Saint-Laurent or St-Laurent in French, baptized Louis-Étienne The Liberal Party of Canada ( Parti libéral du Canada) colloquially known as the Grits (originally " Clear Grits " is a major Canadian political Shortly afterward, he won a seat in the Canadian House of Commons, for the federal riding of Algoma East. The House of Commons (Chambre des communes is a component of the Parliament of Canada, along with the Sovereign (represented by the Governor General) and Algoma East was a federal electoral district in Ontario, Canada, that was represented in the Canadian House of Commons from 1904 to 1968 In 1957, for his role in defusing the Suez Crisis through the United Nations, Pearson was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Year 1957 ( MCMLVII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1957 Gregorian calendar) The Suez Crisis, also referred to as the Tripartite Aggression, (أزمة السويس - العدوان الثلاثي Crise du canal de Suez מבצע קדש Kadesh The Nobel Peace Prize ( Swedish, Danish and Nobels fredspris is one of five Nobel Prizes Bequeathed by the Swedish industrialist and inventor The selection committee claimed that Pearson had "saved the world. " The United Nations Emergency Force was Pearson's creation, and he is considered the father of the modern concept of peacekeeping. The first United Nations Emergency Force ( UNEF) was established by United Nations General Assembly to secure an end to the 1956 Suez Crisis with resolution Peacekeeping, as defined by the United Nations, is "a way to help countries torn by conflict create conditions for sustainable peace His Nobel medal is stored at the National Archives of Canada but a replica is on permanent display in the front lobby of the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade headquarters building in Ottawa. Library and Archives Canada (in French: Bibliothèque et Archives Canada) is a Canadian federal government department responsible for the collection The Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT more commonly known as Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada is a department in the Government

Party leadership

Lester B. Pearson statue on Parliament Hill. Parliament Hill (colloquially The Hill, French Colline du Parlement) is a scenic location on the southern banks of the Ottawa River in downtown

He was elected leader of the Liberal Party at its 1958 leadership convention but his party was badly routed in the election of that year. The first three leaders of the Liberal Party of Canada were not chosen at a Leadership convention. The Canadian federal election of 1958 was the 24th general election in Canada's history As the newly-elected leader of the Liberals, Mr. Pearson had given a speech in the House of Commons that asked Mr. Diefenbaker to give power back to the Liberals without an election, because of a recent economic downturn. This strategy backfired when Mr. Diefenbaker seized on the error by showing a classified Liberal document saying that the economy would face a downturn in that year. This contrasted heavily with the Liberal's 1957 campaign promises, and would make sure the "arrogant" label would remain attached to the Liberal party. The election also cost the Liberals their Quebec stronghold; the province had voted largely Liberal in federal elections since the Conscription Crisis of 1917, but upon the resignation of former Prime Minister Louis St. Laurent, the province had no favourite son leader, as they had since 1948. The Conscription Crisis of 1917 was a political and military crisis in Canada during World War I. Louis Stephen St-Laurent PC CC QC ( Saint-Laurent or St-Laurent in French, baptized Louis-Étienne A favorite son (or a favorite daughter) is a political term that can refer to two different types of Politicians A politician whose electoral

In the 1962 election, his party reduced the Progressive Conservative Party of John Diefenbaker to a minority government. The Canadian federal election of 1962 was held on June 18 1962 to elect members of the Canadian House of Commons of the 25th Parliament of Canada The Progressive Conservative Party of Canada ( PC) ( Parti progressiste-conservateur du Canada) ( 1867 – 2003) was a Canadian During the history of Canadian politics there have been eleven minority governments on the federal level in ten separate minority Parliaments (in one case there were two

Not long after the election, Pearson capitalized on the Conservatives' indecision on installing nuclear warheads on Bomarc missiles. The CIM-10 Bomarc (originally IM-99) was the product of the Bomarc Missile Program. Minister of National Defence Douglas Harkness resigned from Cabinet on February 4, 1963 because of Diefenbaker's opposition to accepting the missiles. The Minister of National Defence (Ministre de la Défense nationale is a Minister of the Crown; the Canadian Politician within the Cabinet of Canada Douglas Scott Harkness, PC, OC, GM, ED, BA, DUC ( March 29, 1903 &ndash May 2 Events 211 - Roman Emperor Septimius Severus dies leaving the Roman Empire in the hands of his two quarrelsome sons Year 1963 ( MCMLXIII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The next day, the government lost two non-confidence motions on the issue, prompting the election. A motion of no confidence (also vote of no confidence, censure motion, no-confidence motion, or confidence motion) is a Parliamentary motion

Prime Minister

Pearson led the Liberals to a minority government in the 1963 general election, and became prime minister. During the history of Canadian politics there have been eleven minority governments on the federal level in ten separate minority Parliaments (in one case there were two The Canadian federal election of 1963 was held on April 8 to elect members of the Canadian House of Commons of the 26th Parliament of Canada He had campaigned during the election promising "60 Days of Decision" and support for the Bomarc missile program. The CIM-10 Bomarc (originally IM-99) was the product of the Bomarc Missile Program.

Pearson never had a majority in the Canadian House of Commons, but he nevertheless managed to bring in many of Canada's major social programs, including universal health care, the Canada Pension Plan and Canada Student Loans, and established a new national flag, the Maple Leaf. The House of Commons (Chambre des communes is a component of the Parliament of Canada, along with the Sovereign (represented by the Governor General) and This article refers to medicare a name for Canada's publicly-funded health insurance system for hospital and physician services The Canada Pension Plan ( CPP) is a contributory earnings-related Social insurance program Student loans in Canada help post-secondary students pay for their education in Canada. The National Flag of Canada, also known as the Maple Leaf, and fr l'Unifolié ( French for "the one-leafed" is a red Flag This was due in part to support for his minority government in the House of Commons from the New Democratic Party, led by Tommy Douglas. Principles policies and electoral achievement The NDP grew from populist, agrarian and democratic socialist roots Thomas Clement "Tommy" Douglas, PC, CC, SOM ( October 20, 1904 – February 24, 1986) was a His actions included instituting the 40-hour work week, two weeks vacation time and a new minimum wage. A minimum wage is the lowest hourly daily or monthly Wage that employers may legally pay to employees or workers

Pearson signed the Canada-United States Automotive Agreement (or Auto Pact) in January 1965, and unemployment fell to its lowest rate in over a decade. The Automotive Products Trade Agreement, commonly known as the Auto Pact or APTA, was an important Trade agreement between Canada and the [1]

Pearson and United States President Lyndon B. Johnson meeting in Texas, 1965

While in office, Pearson resisted U.S. pressure to enter the Vietnam War. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the The Vietnam War, also known as the Second Indochina War, or the Vietnam Conflict, occurred in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia Pearson spoke at Temple University in Philadelphia on April 2, 1965, while visiting the United States, and voiced his support for a negotiated settlement to the Vietnam War. Temple University is a state-related public research University in Philadelphia. Philadelphia (ˌfɪləˈdɛlfiə Events 68 - Galba, Governor of Hispania, names himself legatus senatus populique Romani, breaking the line of Year 1965 ( MCMLXV) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the 1965 Gregorian calendar. When he visited U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson the next day, Johnson (supposedly) strongly berated Pearson. The President of the United States is the Head of state and Head of government of the United States and is the highest political official in United States by Pearson later recounted that the meeting was acrimonious, but insisted the two parted cordially. After this incident, LBJ and Pearson did have further contacts, including two further meetings together, both times in Canada. (Canadians most remember the Pearson years as a time Canada-U. S. relations greatly improved. ) [2]

Pearson also started a number of Royal Commissions, including one on the status of women and another on bilingualism. The term Royal Commission may also be used in the United Kingdom to describe the group of Lords Commissioners who may act in the stead of the The Royal Commission on the Status of Women was a Canadian Royal Commission that examined the status of women and recommended steps that might be taken by the The Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism was a Canadian Royal commission established on July 19, 1963, by the government of They instituted changes that helped create legal equality for women, and brought official bilingualism into being. Official bilingualism is the term used in Canada to collectively describe the policies constitutional provisions and laws which give English and French a privileged After Pearson, French was made an official language, and the Canadian government would provide services in both. French ( français,) is a Romance language spoken around the world by 118 million people as a native language and by about 180 to 260 million people An official language is a Language that is given a special legal status in a particular Country, State, or other territory Pearson himself had hoped that he would be the last unilingual Prime Minister of Canada and, indeed, fluency in both English and French became an unofficial requirement for Prime Ministerial candidates after Pearson left office.

His government endured significant controversy in Canada's military services throughout the mid-1960s, following the tabling of the White Paper on Defence in March 1964. The White Paper on Defence is a White paper of the Canadian government which was tabled on March 26, 1964. This document laid out a plan to merge the Royal Canadian Navy, the Royal Canadian Air Force, and the Canadian Army to form a single service called the Canadian Armed Forces. For the history of Canada's naval forces after 1968 see Canadian Forces Maritime Command The Royal Canadian Navy ( RCN) was the Land Force Command ( LFC) is responsible for army operations within the Canadian Forces. The Canadian Forces (CF ( French: Forces canadiennes) are the unified Armed forces of Canada, governed by the National Defence Military unification took effect on 1 February 1968 when The Canadian Forces Reorganization Act received Royal Assent.

Pearson was also remarkable for instituting the world's first race-free immigration system, throwing out previous ones that had discriminated against certain people, such as Jews and the Chinese. Immigration refers to the movement of people among countries While the movement of people has existed throughout human history at various levels modern immigration implies long-term PLEASE TAKE NOTE************ China ( Wade-Giles ( Mandarin) Chung¹kuo² is a cultural region, an ancient Civilization, and depending on perspective a National His points-based system encouraged immigration to Canada, and a similar system is still in place today.

Pearson also oversaw Canada's centennial celebrations in 1967 before retiring. The Canadian Centennial was a year long celebration held in 1967 when Canada celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Canadian Confederation. The Canadian news agency, The Canadian Press, named him "Newsmaker of the Year" that year, citing his leadership during the centennial celebrations, which brought the Centennial Flame to Parliament Hill. The Canadian Press (often abbreviated as CP) is Canada 's national News agency established in 1917 as a vehicle to permit Canadian newspapers of the day The Canadian Newsmaker of the Year is an award voted every year since 1946 by the Canadian Press. The Centennial Flame is a Fountain with a symbolic flame located in front of the Peace Tower, in Ottawa, Canada. Parliament Hill (colloquially The Hill, French Colline du Parlement) is a scenic location on the southern banks of the Ottawa River in downtown

Also in 1967, the President of France, Charles de Gaulle made a visit to Quebec. The President of the French Republic (Président de la République française colloquially referred to in English as the President of France, is France 's elected Charles André Joseph Marie de Gaulle ( ( 22 November 1890 – 9 November 1970) was a French General and statesman who led the Free French Quebec (kwɨˈbɛk During that visit, de Gaulle was a staunch advocate of Quebec separatism, even going so far as to say that his procession in Montreal reminded him of his return to Paris after it was freed from the Nazis during the Second World War. Montreal, or Montréal in French ( pronounced in French, in English) is the largest city in the Canadian province of Quebec Paris (ˈpærɨs in English; in French) is the Capital of France and the country's largest city Nazism, which was a short name for National Socialism (Nationalsozialismus refers primarily to the Ideology and practices of the National Socialist German President de Gaulle also gave his "Vive le Québec libre" speech during the visit. Vive le Québec libre ! (Long live free Quebec! was a famous and controversial phrase in a speech delivered by French Given Canada's efforts in aid of France during both world wars, Pearson was enraged. He rebuked de Gaulle in a speech the following day, remarking that "Canadians do not need to be liberated" and making it clear that de Gaulle was no longer welcome in Canada. The French President returned to his home country and would never visit Canada again.

Supreme Court appointments

Pearson chose the following jurists to be appointed as justices of the Supreme Court of Canada by the Governor General:

• Robert Taschereau (as Chief Justice, April 22, 1963 – September 1, 1967; appointed a Puisne Justice under Prime Minister King, February 9, 1940)
• Wishart Flett Spence (May 30, 1963 – December 29, 1978)
• John Robert Cartwright (as Chief Justice, September 1, 1967 – March 23, 1970; appointed a Puisne Justice under Prime Minister St. Laurent, December 22, 1949)
• Louis-Philippe Pigeon (September 21, 1967 February 8, 1980)

Retirement

Pearson served as Chancellor of Carleton University from 1969 until his death in 1972

Pearson, and three of his cabinet ministers who later became Prime Ministers. The Supreme Court of Canada ( French: Cour suprême du Canada) is the highest court of Canada and is the final court of appeal in the Canadian The Governor General of Canada ( French: Gouverneure générale du Canada, or: Gouverneur général du Canada) is the vice-regal representative Robert Taschereau, PC, CC ( September 10, 1896 &ndash July 26, 1970) Events 1500 - Portuguese Navigator Pedro Álvares Cabral becomes the first European to sight Brazil. Year 1963 ( MCMLXIII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 462 - Possible start of first Byzantine indiction cycle. Year 1967 ( MCMLXVII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the 1967 Gregorian calendar. A Puisne Justice or Puisne Judge (pronounced puny, and derived from the obsolete French puisné, modern French puîné, "junior" is Events 474 - Zeno crowned as co-emperor of the Byzantine Empire. Year 1940 ( MCMXL) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display the full 1940 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Wishart Flett Spence ( March 9, 1904 &ndash April 16, 1998) C Events 1416 - The Council of Constance, called by the Emperor Sigismund a supporter of Antipope John XXIII burns Jerome of Prague following Year 1963 ( MCMLXIII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1170 - Thomas Becket: Thomas Becket Archbishop of Canterbury is assassinated inside Canterbury Cathedral by followers of King Henry II Year 1978 ( MCMLXXVIII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1978 Gregorian calendar) John Robert Cartwright PC, CC, MC, LLD ( March 23, 1895 &ndash November 24 Events 462 - Possible start of first Byzantine indiction cycle. Year 1967 ( MCMLXVII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the 1967 Gregorian calendar. Events 1174 - Jocelin, Abbot of Melrose, is elected Bishop of Glasgow. Year 1970 ( MCMLXX) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link shows full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. A Puisne Justice or Puisne Judge (pronounced puny, and derived from the obsolete French puisné, modern French puîné, "junior" is Louis Stephen St-Laurent PC CC QC ( Saint-Laurent or St-Laurent in French, baptized Louis-Étienne Events 1790 - The Turkish fortress of Izmail is stormed and captured by Suvorov and his Russian armies Year 1949 ( MCMXLIX) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Louis-Philippe Pigeon CC, LLL ( February 8, 1905 &ndash February 23, 1986) was a Judge of the Supreme Events 1217 - The Estonian tribal leader Lembitu of Lehola was killed in a battle against Teutonic Knights. Year 1967 ( MCMLXVII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the 1967 Gregorian calendar. Events 421 - Constantius III becomes co- Emperor of the Western Roman Empire. Year 1980 ( MCMLXXX) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1980 Gregorian calendar) This article is about the university in Ottawa Ontario Canada From left to right, Pierre Trudeau, John Turner, Jean Chrétien, and Pearson. John Napier Wyndham Turner PC CC QC (born June 7, 1929) is a retired Canadian Lawyer and Politician Joseph Jacques Jean Chrétien, (generally known as Jean Chrétien) (born January 11, 1934) is a Canadian politician who was the twentieth Prime

Pearson's gravestone in Wakefield, Quebec, photographed in 2004. Wakefield is a village on the western shore of the Gatineau River, at the confluence of the La Pêche River in the Outaouais region of Quebec

After his announcement on December 14, 1967, that he was retiring from politics, a leadership convention was held. Events 1287 - St Lucia's flood: The Zuider Zee sea wall in the Netherlands collapses killing over 50000 people Year 1967 ( MCMLXVII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the 1967 Gregorian calendar. The Liberal Party of Canada leadership convention of 1968 elected Pierre Elliott Trudeau as the new leader of the Liberal Party. Pearson's successor was Pierre Trudeau, a man who Pearson had recruited and made Minister of Justice in his cabinet. The Minister of Justice (Ministre de la Justice is the Minister of the Crown in the Canadian Cabinet who is responsible for the Department of Justice The Cabinet of Canada (Cabinet du Canada plays an important role in the Government of Canada, in accordance with the Westminster System. Trudeau later became Prime Minister, and two other cabinet ministers Pearson recruited, John Turner and Jean Chrétien, served as prime ministers in the years following Trudeau's retirement. John Napier Wyndham Turner PC CC QC (born June 7, 1929) is a retired Canadian Lawyer and Politician Joseph Jacques Jean Chrétien, (generally known as Jean Chrétien) (born January 11, 1934) is a Canadian politician who was the twentieth Prime Paul Martin Jr., the son of Pearson's minister of external affairs, Paul Martin Sr., also went on to become prime minister. Paul Edgar Philippe Martin. PC, MP (also known as Paul Martin Jr Canada 's Secretary of State for External Affairs was from 1909 to 1993 the member of the Cabinet of Canada responsible for overseeing the federal government's Paul Joseph James Martin, PC, CC, QC ( June 23, 1903 &ndash September 14, 1992) often referred to as

Pearson served as Chancellor of Carleton University in Ottawa from 1969 until his death in 1972. This article is about the university in Ottawa Ontario Canada Pearson is buried just north of Gatineau, next to his close External Affairs colleagues H. H. Wrong and Norman Robertson. Gatineau ( 2006 census population 242124 is a city in western Quebec, Canada. Humphrey Hume Wrong ( 10 September 1894 – 24 January 1954) was a Canadian diplomat and Canada 's ambassador the United Norman Alexander Robertson, CC ( March 4, 1904 - July 16, 1968) was a Canadian Diplomat and was one of Prime

Honours and awards

• The Canadian Press named Pearson "Newsmaker of the Year" nine times, a record he held until his successor, Pierre Trudeau, surpassed it in 2000. The Canadian Press (often abbreviated as CP) is Canada 's national News agency established in 1917 as a vehicle to permit Canadian newspapers of the day The Canadian Newsmaker of the Year is an award voted every year since 1946 by the Canadian Press. He was also only one of two prime ministers to have received the honour, both before and when prime minister (the other being Brian Mulroney).
• The Lester B. Pearson Award is awarded annually to the National Hockey League's outstanding player in the regular season, as judged by members of the NHL Players Association (NHLPA). The Lester B Pearson Award is awarded annually to the National Hockey League 's outstanding player in the regular season as judged by the members of the NHL Players Association The National Hockey League ( NHL) is a professional Ice hockey league composed of 30 teams in North America It was first awarded in 1971 to Phil Esposito, a native of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. Philip Anthony "Espo" Esposito, OC (born February 20, 1942 is a retired professional hockey centre who played 18 seasons in the National Sault Ste Marie (nicknamed "the Sault" or "the Soo" is a City on the St
• Pearson was inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame at the University of Toronto. This article is about the University of Toronto's St George Campus
• The Lester B. Pearson Building, completed in 1973, is the headquarters for Foreign Affairs Canada, a tribute to his service as external affairs minister. The Lester B Pearson Building is the headquarters of the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade ( Foreign Affairs and International The Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT more commonly known as Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada is a department in the Government Canada 's Secretary of State for External Affairs was from 1909 to 1993 the member of the Cabinet of Canada responsible for overseeing the federal government's
• Lester B. Pearson College, opened in 1974, is a United World College near Victoria, British Columbia. Lester B Pearson College United World College of the Pacific is one of thirteen United World Colleges (UWC around the world The United World Colleges (UWC are a group of twelve international schools Victoria (vɪkˈtɔɹiə is the capital city of British Columbia.
• The Pearson Medal of Peace, first awarded in 1979, is an award given out annually by the United Nations Association in Canada to recognize an individual Canadian's "contribution to international service. The Pearson Medal of Peace is an Award given out annually by the United Nations Association in Canada to recognize an individual Canadian's "contribution The United Nations Association in Canada engages the Canadian public in the work of the United Nations and the critical international issues which face us all "
• Toronto Pearson International Airport, first opened in 1939 and re-christened with its current name in 1984, is Canada's busiest airport. Lester B Pearson International Airport is a major International airport serving Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated 27 kilometres (17 mi northwest The following is a list of Canada's busiest airports by aircraft movements (how busy the runways are and passengers traffic (how busy the terminals are
• The Pearson Peacekeeping Centre, established in 1994, is an independent not-for-profit institution providing research and training on all aspects of peace operations. Established in 1994 by the Government of Canada, the Pearson Peacekeeping Centre (PPC is an independent not-for-profit organization
• The Lester B. Pearson School Board is the largest English-language school board in Quebec. The Lester B Pearson School Board (LBPSB is an English-language school board in the province of Quebec, the largest of the nine English school boards in the province English is a West Germanic language originating in England and is the First language for most people in the United Kingdom, the United States A board of education or a school Board or school committee is the title of the Board of directors of a school local School district [3] The majority of the schools of the Lester B. Pearson School Board are located on the western half of the island of Montreal, with a few of its schools located off the island as well.
• Lester B. Pearson High School lists five so-named schools, in Calgary, Toronto, Burlington, Ottawa, and Montreal. Lester B Pearson High School can refer to Lester B Pearson High School (Calgary, in Calgary Alberta Lester B Lester B Pearson High School can refer to Lester B Pearson High School (Calgary, in Calgary Alberta Lester B Lester B Pearson CI (LBP is a public High school in Scarborough, Ontario, Canada; which teaches grades 9 through 12 Lester B Pearson High School is a High school located in Burlington Ontario, Canada, administered by the Halton District School Board. Elementary Assumption Bayshore Catholic Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha Chapel Hill Catholic Convent Glen Catholic Lester B Pearson High School is a Anglophone Secondary school located in the borough of Montreal Nord in Montreal Quebec. There are also elementary schools in Ajax, Ontario; Aurora, Ontario; Brampton, Ontario; London, Ontario; Saskatoon, Saskatchewan; Waterloo, Ontario and Wesleyville, Newfoundland. Ajax ( 2008 population 93104 is a town located in the Golden Horseshoe of south central Ontario, Canada. Aurora ( 2006 Population 47629 is an affluent Canadian town in York Region, approximately 40 km north of Toronto Brampton (pronounced bramton is the third-largest city in the Greater Toronto Area of Ontario, Canada and the seat of Peel Region. London is a city in Southwestern Ontario, Canada along the Quebec City-Windsor Corridor with a metropolitan area population of 457720 the city proper Saskatoon is a city located in central Saskatchewan, Canada, on the South Saskatchewan River, with a Waterloo is a City in Ontario, Canada. It is the smallest of the three cities in the Regional Municipality Wesleyville is a small coastal community in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
• Pearson Avenue is located near Highway 407 and Yonge Street in Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada; less than five miles from his place of birth. Highway 407, officially called the 407 Express Toll Route (ETR, is a Tollway located in the Greater Toronto Area, southern Ontario, Canada Yonge Street (pronounced "young" is a major arterial street in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and its northern Suburbs It was formerly Richmond Hill ( 2006 population 162704 2007 Estimate 177587 The act expanded Richmond Hill's borders annexing parts of Whitchurch Township, Markham
• Pearson Way is an arterial access road located in a new subdivision in Milton, Ontario; many ex-Prime Ministers are being honoured in this growing community, including Prime Ministers Trudeau and Laurier. Milton ( 2006 census population 53939 is a town in southern Ontario, Canada, part of the Greater
• Lester B. Pearson Place completed in 2006, is a four storey affordable housing building in Newtonbrook, Ontario, mere steps from his place of birth.
• Lester B. Pearson Civic Centre,[4] is in Elliot Lake, Ontario
• A plaque at the north end of the North American Life building in North York commemorates his place of birth. North York forms the central part of the northern half of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The manse where Pearson was born is gone, but a plaque is located at his birth site. [5]
• On April 12, 2008, some members of the Rochester Stampede named their vehicle in honor of the former Prime Minister while on their trip to Cleveland to watch the Rhinos take on the City Stars.
• The Pearson Cup was a baseball competition between the Toronto Blue Jays and Montreal Expos. The Pearson Cup was an annual mid-season Major League Baseball exhibition game between former Canadian rivals the Toronto Blue Jays and the Montréal The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Franchise history Creation of the franchise In 1960 Montreal lost its International League team the Montreal Royals (an affiliate of

Honorary degrees

Lester B. Pearson, Canadian Ambassador to the United States, at University of Toronto convocation, 1945.

Lester B. Pearson received Honorary Degrees from 48 Universities, including:

• University of Toronto in 1945 (LL.D) [6]
• University of Rochester in 1947 (LL.D)[7]
• McMaster University in 1948 (LL.D)[8]
• Bates College in 1951 (LL.D)[9]
• Princeton University in 1956 (LL.D) [10]
• University of British Columbia in 1958 (LL.D) [11]
• University of Notre Dame in 1963
• Waterloo Lutheran University later changed to Wilfrid Laurier University in 1964 (LL.D)
• Memorial University of Newfoundland in 1964 (LL.D)[12]
• Johns Hopkins University in 1964 (LL.D)[13][14]
• University of Western Ontario in 1964 (LL.D)[15][16]
• Laurentian University in 1965 (LL.D)[17]
• University of Saskatchewan (Regina Campus) later changed to University of Regina in 1965[18][19]
• McGill University in 1965[20]
• Queen's University in 1965 (LL.D)[21]
• Dalhousie University in 1967 (LL.D)[22]
• University of Calgary in 1967[23][24]
• UCSB in 1967
• Harvard University
• Columbia University
• Oxford University (LL.D)

See also

• Canada and the Vietnam War
• Great Flag Debate
• Senator Landon Pearson

Notes

References

• Beal, John Robinson. Pearson of Canada. 1964.
• Beal, John Robinson and Poliquin, Jean-Marc. Les trois vies de Pearson of Canada. 1968.
• Bliss, Michael. Right Honourable Men: the descent of Canadian politics from Macdonald to Mulroney, 1994.
• Bothwell, Robert. Pearson, His Life and World. Toronto: McGraw-Hill Ryerson, 1978. ISBN 0-07-082305-7.
• Bowering, George. Egotists and Autocrats: The Prime Ministers of Canada, 1997.
• Champion, C. P. "A Very British Coup: Canadianism, Quebec and Ethnicity in the Flag Debate, 1964-1965. " Journal of Canadian Studies 40. 3 (2006), p. 68-99. Journal of Canadian Studies 40.3
• Champion, C. P. "Mike Pearson at Oxford: War, Varsity, and Canadianism," Canadian Historical Review, 88, 2, June 2007, 263-90.
• Donaldson, Gordon. The Prime Ministers of Canada, 1999.
• English, John. Shadow of Heaven: The Life of Lester Pearson, Volume I, 1897-1948. Toronto: Lester & Orpen Dennys, 1989. ISBN 0-88619-169-6.
• English, John. The Worldly Years: The Life of Lester Pearson, Volume II, 1949-1972. Toronto: Lester & Orpen Dennys, 1992. ISBN 0-394-22729-8.
• Ferguson, Will. Bastards and Boneheads: Canada's Glorious Leaders, Past and Present, 1997.
• Fry, Michael G. Freedom and Change: Essays in Honour of Lester B. Pearson. Toronto: McClelland and Stewart, 1975. ISBN 0-7710-3187-
• Hillmer, Norman and J. L. Granatstein, Prime Ministers: Rating Canada's Leaders, 2001.
• Hutchison, Bruce. Mr. Prime Minister 1867-1964, Toronto: Longmans Canada, 1964.
• Stursberg, Peter. Lester Pearson and the Dream of Unity. Toronto: Doubleday, 1978. ISBN 0-385-13478-9.
• Thordarson, Bruce. Lester Pearson: Diplomat and Politician. Toronto: Oxford University Press, 1974. ISBN 0-19-540225-1.

Writings

• Pearson, Lester B. Canada: Nation on the March. Toronto: Clarke, Irwin, 1953.
• Pearson, Lester B. The Crisis of Development. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1970.
• Pearson, Lester B. Diplomacy in the Nuclear Age. Boston: Harvard University Press, 1959.
• Pearson, Lester B. The Four Faces of Peace and the International Outlook. Toronto: McClelland and Stewart, 1964.
• Pearson, Lester B. Mike : The Memoirs of the Right Honourable Lester B. Pearson. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1972. ISBN 0-575-01709-0 .
• Pearson, Lester B. Peace in the Family of Man. London: Oxford University Press, 1969. ISBN 0-563-08449-9.
• Pearson, Lester B. Words and Occasions: An Anthology of Speeches and Articles. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1970. ISBN 0-674-95611-7.

External links

• Biography at the Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online
• "Greatest Canadian" write-up of Lester Pearson
• National Archives biography
• Nobel prize website
• Canadian Peace Hall of Fame
• Order of Canada Citation
• Political Biography from the Library of Parliament
• CBC Digital Archives — Lester B. Pearson: From Peacemaker to Prime Minister
• University of Toronto Athletic Hall of Fame, Inducted 1987
• Lester Bowles Pearson from The Canadian Encyclopedia
• An in-depth exploration of Pearson’s diplomacy during the Suez Crisis of 1956