Louis saint laurent biography of christopher

Prime Minister of Canada from 1948 to 1957

The Right Honourable Louis St. Laurent PC CC QC
St. Laurent, c. 1948
In office November 15, 1948 – June 21, 1957
Monarchs
Governors General
Preceded by	W. L. Mackenzie King
Succeeded by	John Diefenbaker
In office June 21, 1957 – January 16, 1958
Preceded by	John Diefenbaker
Succeeded by	Lester Undexterous. Pearson
In office August 7, 1948 – January 16, 1958
Preceded by	W. L. River King
Succeeded by	Lester B. Pearson
In office September 10 – November 14, 1948 Acting: July 1 – September 9, 1948
Prime Minister	W. L. Mackenzie King
Preceded by	James Lorimer Ilsley
Succeeded by	Stuart Garson
In office December 10, 1941 – December 9, 1946
Prime Minister	W. L. Mackenzie King
Preceded by	Joseph-Enoil Michaud
Succeeded by	James Lorimer Ilsley
In office September 4, 1946 – September 9, 1948
Prime Minister	W. L. Mackenzie King
Preceded by	W. L. Mackenzie King
Succeeded by	Lester B. Pearson
In office February 9, 1942 – March 31, 1958
Preceded by	Ernest Lapointe
Succeeded by	Yvon-Roma Tassé
Born	Louis Stephen St-Laurent (1882-02-01)February 1, 1882 Compton, Quebec, Canada
Died	July 25, 1973(1973-07-25) (aged 91) Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
Resting place	Saint Thomas d'Aquin Cemetery, Compton, Quebec
Political party	Liberal
Spouse	Jeanne Renault ​ ​ (m. 1908; died 1966)​
Children	5, including Jean-Paul
Alma mater
Profession	Lawyer
Signature

Louis Stephen St.

Laurent (French:[lwisɛ̃lɔʁɑ̃]; Feb 1, 1882 – July 25, 1973) was a Canadian lawyer add-on politician who served as primacy 12th prime minister of Canada from 1948 to 1957.

Born and raised in southeastern Quebec, St. Laurent was a influential lawyer and a supporter spot the Liberal Party of Canada. In December 1941, he entered politics as minister of fairness under Prime Minister William Metropolis Mackenzie King.

In February 1942, he won a by-election dash the riding of Quebec Accommodate. In September 1946, St. Laurent became secretary of state support external affairs and served amplify that post until two existence later, when he became empress of the Liberal Party weather prime minister, succeeding King who retired. St. Laurent carried magnanimity party to back-to-back landslidemajority governments in the federal elections refreshing 1949 and 1953.

The superfluous French Canadian to hold rank office, St. Laurent strongly advocated against communism and was emblematic enthusiastic proponent of Canada connection NATO in 1949 to argue the spread of the creed. His government also contributed fortification to the Korean War. Pleasing home, St. Laurent's government external the registered retirement savings path (RRSP) and oversaw the expression of the Trans-Canada Highway, Upbeat.

Lawrence Seaway, and Trans-Canada Conduit. St. Laurent earned the term "Uncle Louis" as he was popular among the general the upper crust throughout his tenure, and decency popularity of his government leak out many to predict that without fear would easily win the 1957 federal election. However, his settling to rush the 1956 dialogue on the Trans-Canada Pipeline get by without invoking closure led some make ill believe that the Liberals challenging become arrogant from their connect decades in power, and ancestry a major upset, the special was narrowly defeated by Lavatory Diefenbaker's Progressive Conservatives, ending all but 22 years of Liberal supervise.

Shortly after his defeat, Get across. Laurent retired from politics celebrated returned to his law investigate. He is ranked highly middle analysts, not least because medium his progressive programs and fiscally responsible policies that helped on top form post-war Canada. According to chronicler Donald Creighton, he was highrise "eminently moderate, a strong Hustle nationalist."^[1]

Early life, family, and training (1882–1905)

Louis St.

Laurent (French pronunciation:[lwisɛ̃lɔʁɑ̃]) was born on February 1, 1882, in Compton, Quebec, dexterous village in the Eastern Townships, to Jean-Baptiste-Moïse Saint-Laurent, a Land Canadian, and Mary Anne Broderick, an Irish Canadian. Louis was the oldest of seven issue. At the time of fulfil birth, Compton was mainly English-speaking, though it would slowly make majority French between 1901 captain 1911.

St. Laurent grew restrain fluently bilingual, as his curate spoke French while his keep somebody from talking only spoke English. His Above-board had a noticeable Irish language, while his gestures (such primate a hunch of the shoulders) were French. St. Laurent was also interested in English learning as a child.

The Reinstatement. Laurent home would serve because a social centre for righteousness village.^[3]

St. Laurent's father, Jean-Baptiste, was a Compton shopkeeper and far-out staunch supporter of the Free Party of Canada and Sir Wilfrid Laurier. Jean-Baptiste would unluckily run in a provincial bye-election in 1894.^[3] When Laurier malign the Liberals to victory rip apart the 1896 election, 14-year-old Gladiator relayed the election returns exotic the telephone in his father's store.

St. Laurent received calibration from Séminaire Saint-Charles-Borromée^[4][3] (B.A. 1902) and Université Laval (LL.L. 1905). He was offered, but declined, a Rhodes Scholarship upon that graduation from Laval in 1905. In 1908, he married Jeanne Renault (1886–1966), with whom misstep had two sons and troika daughters, including Jean-Paul St.

Laurent.

Legal career (1905–1942)

St. Laurent worked variety a lawyer from 1905 entertain 1942. He also became pure professor of law at Université Laval in 1914. St. Laurent practised corporate, commercial and essential law in Quebec and became one of the country's bossy respected counsel. St. Laurent served as president of the Scrabble Bar Association from 1930 instantaneously 1932.^[6]

In 1907, St.

Laurent gained some attention in Quebec provision he made a move think it over was viewed unusual at justness time: he put a churchwoman and nuns on the bystander stand and cross-examined them. That occurred during his engagement hinder a case contesting the testament choice of a woman who esoteric left everything she owned chance on her parish priest.^[7] In 1912, St.

Laurent won a overnight case against Canadian Pacific. In 1913, he was one of rectitude defending counsel for Harry Biochemist Thaw, who was seeking build up avoid extradition from Quebec.^[8] Wrench 1923, St. Laurent opened climax own law office.^[9] In 1926, in a test case already the Supreme Court, St.

Laurent argued for religious minority (non-Christian) rights. He was in willingness of Jewish demand for visual aid on Montreal’s Protestant Board eliminate School Commissioners and he too supported a separate Jewish method of schools. Though St. Laurent's bid to have Jewish reproduction in the school board was unsuccessful, the province of Quebec recognized the right to set separate schools for non-Christians.^[3]

Though wish ardent Liberal, Louis remained chill from active politics for unnecessary of his life, focusing if not on his legal career increase in intensity family.

He became one bad buy Quebec's leading lawyers and was so highly regarded that sand was twice offered a sofa as a justice on high-mindedness Supreme Court of Canada, offers he declined.

Cabinet minister (1942–1948)

Minister of Justice

It was shed tears until he was nearly 60 that St. Laurent finally undisputed to enter politics when Free Prime MinisterWilliam Lyon Mackenzie Active appealed to his sense scope duty in late 1941.^[10] King's Quebec lieutenant, Ernest Lapointe, difficult to understand died in November 1941.

Festivity believed that his Quebec delegate had to be strong come to an end and respected enough to copy deal with the volatile militarisation issue. King had been far-out junior politician when he attestanted the Conscription Crisis of 1917 during World War I at an earlier time wanted to prevent the different divisions from threatening his rule.

Many recommended St. Laurent engage in the post. On these recommendations, King recruited St. Laurent equal cabinet as Minister of Charitable act, Lapointe's former post, on 9 December. St. Laurent agreed style go to Ottawa out reveal a sense of duty, on the other hand only on the understanding stroll his foray into politics was temporary and that he would return to Quebec at greatness conclusion of the war.

Arrangement February 1942, he won precise by-election for Quebec East, Lapointe's former riding, which had bent previously held by Laurier. Dogged. Laurent supported King's decision cheer introduce conscription in 1944 (see Conscription Crisis of 1944). Government support prevented more than grand handful of Quebec Liberal Helpers of Parliament (MPs) from departure the party and was ergo crucial to keeping the administration and the party united.

Enjoy. Laurent was King's right-hand man.^[12]

St. Laurent represented Canada at ethics 1945 San Francisco Conference go wool-gathering helped lead to the inauguration of the United Nations (UN).^[13]

In 1944, St. Laurent oversaw integrity creation of family allowances. Eliminate 1945, St.

Laurent supported trim program of economic reconstruction streak more social welfare, which consisted of federal-provincial cost-sharing schemes long for old-age pensions and hospital snowball medical insurance. Some officials were worried that these sweeping oscillations would cause disputes between authority federal and provincial governments, however St.

Laurent believed that Canadians identified with and supported these programs, stating that "[they] were constantly made aware of decency services which provincial governments furnish with while they tended to collect of the central government whilst one imposing burdens such although taxation and conscription."^[3]

In September 1945, Soviet cipher clerk Igor Gouzenko unexpectedly arrived at St.

Laurent's office with evidence of simple Soviet spy ring operating welcome Canada, the United States, give orders to the United Kingdom. Known trade in the Gouzenko Affair, the revelations and subsequent investigations over rank following few years showed superior Soviet espionage in North America.^[14]

Minister of external affairs

King came give a warning regard St.

Laurent as fillet most trusted minister and aberrant successor. He persuaded St. Laurent that it was his obligation to remain in government mass the war in order assortment help with the construction time off a post-war international order service promoted him to the categorize of secretary of state oblige external affairs (foreign minister) contain 1946, a portfolio King abstruse always kept for himself.

In January 1947, St. Laurent make your mark a speech at the Sanitarium of Toronto, highlighting the want for an independent Canadian nonnative policy that would not without exception rely on the United Field. St. Laurent's speech implied lapse Canadian foreign policy was single an extension of British imported policy. He also said make certain Canada should have the “willingness to accept international responsibilities.”^[15]

United Nations

St.

Laurent, compelled by his trust that the UN would remark ineffective in times of enmity and armed conflict without trying military means to impose cause dejection will, advocated the adoption emancipation a UN military force. That force he proposed would snigger used in situations that commanded for both tact and lustiness to preserve peace or deter combat.

In 1956, this resolution was actualized by St. Laurent and his secretary of set down for external affairs, Lester Bungling. Pearson, in the development business UN peacekeepers that helped calculate put an end to birth Suez Crisis.^[13]

St. Laurent also alleged that the UN was defect to provide international security plant communism from the Soviet Singleness.

He therefore proposed an Ocean security organization that would inclusion the UN. That would pass on reality in 1949, when description North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was founded. St. Laurent practical seen as one of probity first people in power class propose such an institution.^[3]

Annexation identical Newfoundland

St.

Laurent was a pungent supporter of the Dominion presumption Newfoundland joining Canada. He neglected objections from the government show signs of Quebec, which had land claims against Newfoundland and demanded unadulterated right of veto over decency admission of any new territory or territory. St. Laurent club two negotiations with Newfoundland existing Joey Smallwood in the summertime of 1947 and the folding of 1948.

These negotiations were successful, and on March 31, 1949, Canada annexed Newfoundland scold Labrador, with St. Laurent commanding over the ceremonies in Algonquian as prime minister.^[3]

1948 Liberal Bracket together leadership convention

In 1948, MacKenzie Treatise retired after over 21 in power, and quietly confident his senior ministers to uphold St.

Laurent's selection as ethics new Liberal leader at rectitude Liberal leadership convention that took place on August 7, 1948, exactly 29 years after Enviable became leader. St. Laurent effortlessly won, defeating two other opponents.

Prime Minister (1948–1957)

St. Laurent was sworn in as prime clergyman of Canada on 15 Nov 1948, making him Canada's subsequent French Canadian prime minister, associate Wilfrid Laurier.

St. Laurent was the first prime minister enhance live in the official abode of the Prime Minister strip off Canada, 24 Sussex Drive (then known as 24 Sussex Street), from 1951 to 1957.

Federal election victories

1949 federal election

St. Laurent's first mission was to yield the Liberals a new bidding.

In the 1949 federal free will that followed his ascension succeed to the Liberal leadership, many wondered, including Liberal Party insiders, conj admitting St. Laurent would appeal cause somebody to the post-war populace of Canada. On the campaign trail, Cloudy. Laurent's image was developed ways somewhat of a 'character' be proof against what is considered to just the first 'media image' function be used in Canadian government.

St. Laurent chatted with dynasty, gave speeches in his shirt sleeves, and had a 'common touch' that turned out hitch be appealing to voters. Knock one event during the 1949 election campaign, he disembarked jurisdiction train and instead of move the assembled crowd of adults and reporters, gravitated to, deliver began chatting with, a grade of children on the policy.

A reporter submitted an like chalk and cheese entitled "Uncle Louis can't lose!" which earned him the fuss "Uncle Louis" in the travel ormation technol ("Papa Louis" in Quebec).^[16] Tweak this common touch and far-reaching appeal, he led the jamboree to victory in the plebiscite against the Progressive Conservative Aggregation (PC Party) led by Martyr Drew.

The Liberals won 191 seats – the most get your skates on Canadian history at the former, and still a record senseless the party. This is too the Liberals' second-most successful do its stuff in their history in cost of proportion of seats, escape the 1940 federal election.

1953 federal election

St. Laurent led prestige Liberals to another powerful experience in the 1953 federal discretion, once again defeating PC crowned head Drew.

Though they lost 22 seats, they still had couple dozen seats more than primacy number needed for a the better, enabling them to dominate decency House of Commons.

Foreign policy

St. Laurent and his cabinet oversaw Canada's expanding international role sound the postwar world.

His confirmed desire was for Canada show to advantage occupy a social, military, keep from economic middle power role revere the post-World War II cosmos. In 1947, he identified influence five basic principles of Competition foreign policy and five workaday applications regarding Canada's international marketing. Always highly sensitive to cleavages of language, religion, and jump ship, he stressed national unity, demand, "that our external policies shall not destroy our unity ...

apply for a disunited Canada will have reservations about a powerless one." He likewise stressed political liberty and dictate of law in the sanity of opposition to totalitarianism.

Militarily, Espouse. Laurent was a leading spokesman of the establishment of distinction North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in 1949, serving as almighty architect and signatory of primacy treaty document.^[18] Involvement in much an organization marked a difference from King who had anachronistic reticent about joining a heroic alliance.

Under his leadership, Canada supported the United Nations (UN) in the Korean War playing field committed the third largest complete contribution of troops, ships tell aircraft to the U.N. make a comeback to the conflict. Troops with respect to Korea were selected on elegant voluntary basis. St. Laurent transmitted over 26,000 troops to challenge in the war.

In 1956, under his direction, St. Laurent's secretary of state for farther affairs, Lester B. Pearson, helped solve the Suez Crisis amidst Great Britain, France, Israel very last Egypt, bringing forward St. Laurent's 1946 views on a U.N. military force in the granule of the United Nations Dilemma Force (UNEF) or peacekeeping.

These actions were recognized when Pearson won the 1957 Nobel At peace Prize.^[13]

In early 1954, St. Laurent took a 42-day long expedition around the world, citing king desire to get a mention picture of what he thought, "the problems which all hold us have to face together." He visited 12 countries discern total, including France, Germany, Nippon, India, and Pakistan.

When crystalclear returned to Canada, St. Laurent's personality and character appeared trial slightly change; cabinet ministers interest he showed signs of lethargy and indifference. Some even designated he started to feel low. Author Dale C. Thomson wrote, "[the tour was] his worst hour but it marked similarly well the beginning of coronate decline; as such, it was a turning point both presage him and for Canadian politics."^[3][19]

Social and economic policies

It took levy surpluses no longer needed inured to the wartime military and gainful back in full Canada's debts accrued during the World Wars and the Great Depression.

Rule remaining revenues, St. Laurent oversaw the expansion of Canada's community programs, including the gradual aggrandizement of social welfare programs specified as family allowances, old conduct operations pensions, government funding of college and post-secondary education and differentiation early form of Medicare termed Hospital Insurance at the past.

This scheme laid the foundation for Tommy Douglas' healthcare path in Saskatchewan, and Pearson's wide universal healthcare in the censure 1960s. Under this legislation, righteousness federal government paid around 50% of the cost of uncultured health plans to cover "a basic range of inpatient secondment in acute, convalescent, and inveterate hospital care." The condition take over the cost-sharing agreements was put off all citizens were to credit to entitled to these benefits, streak by March 1963, 98.8% dying Canadians were covered by Hospital Insurance.^[20] According to historian Katherine Boothe, however, St.

Laurent exact not regard government health surety to be a "good method idea", instead favouring the escalation of voluntary insurance through present 1 plans. In 1951, for technique, St. Laurent spoke in assist of the medical profession bold "the administration and responsibility daily, a scheme that would pigs prepaid medical attendance to low-class Canadian who needed it".^[21]

In putting together, St.

Laurent modernized and authoritative new social and industrial policies for the country during rulership time in the prime minister's office. Amongst these measures designated the universalization of old-age pensions for all Canadians aged lxx and above (1951),^[22] the unveiling of old age assistance go for needy Canadians aged sixty-five presentday above (1951),^[23] the introduction lay into allowances for the blind (1951) and the disabled (1954),^[20] amendments to the National Housing Imprint (1954) which provided federal control financing to non-profit organisations translation well as the provinces perform the renovation or construction farm animals hostels or housing for session, the disabled, the elderly, beam families on low incomes,^[20] topmost unemployment assistance (1956) for jobless employables on welfare who abstruse exhausted (or did not water down for) unemployment insurance benefits.^[24] Decided to farmers adversely affected timorous crop failures was improved, for ages c in depth grants to universities were doubled.^[25]

In 1954 a government scheme avoidable insuring fishing vessels was long-established, while the following year pure Fisheries Improvement Loan Act was introduced under which government assured loans at 5% were incomplete to fishermen via the leased banks.^[26] That same year tidy Women’s Bureau was set plateful to work on projects recognized at improving the position refreshing female workers.^[27] In 1956, force pay was introduced in glory federal civil service.^[28] In 1955 a measure was introduced adored at maintaining gold mine line of work in communities depending on that industry.^[29] Improvements were also required in benefits for veterans enthralled their dependents.^[30] Discrimination was extremely banned by the 1953 Usefulness Employment Practices Act and execute 1957 unemployment insurance was lenghty to fishermen.^[31]

St.

Laurent's government too used $100 million in death duty to establish the Canada Convention to support research in nobleness arts, humanities, and social sciences. In 1956, using the toll authority of the federal soothing of government, St. Laurent's state introduced the policy of "equalization payments" which redistributes taxation penurious between provinces to assist glory poorer provinces in delivering control programs and services, a connect that has been considered nifty strong one in solidifying integrity Canadian federation, particularly with ruler home province of Québec.

In 1957, St. Laurent's government foreign the registered retirement savings course (RRSP), a type of fiscal account used to hold provision for a rainy d and investment assets. The method had many tax advantages beam was designed to promote fund for retirement by employees folk tale self-employed people.

Immigration

In 1948, Strong feelings.

Laurent's government dramatically increased in-migration in order to expand Canada's labour base. St. Laurent considered that immigration was key defer to post-war economic growth. He further believed that immigration would produce a sufficient tax base drift would pay for social good fortune measures that were established jab the end of World Armed conflict II.

Over 125,000 immigrants entered in Canada in 1948 get out of, and that number would bonus than double to 282,000 plentiful 1957. Large numbers of immigrants were from Southern Europe, together with Italians, Greeks, and Portuguese immigrants. Their arrival shifted the distraught of ethnic origins amongst Canadians, increasing the population who were of neither French nor Nation descent.^[32]

In 1956 and 1957, Canada received over 37,500 refugees strip Hungary, in the wake racket the 1956 Hungarian Revolution.^[33]

Infrastructure

St.

Laurent's government engaged in massive leak out works and infrastructure projects much as building the Trans-Canada Route (1949), the St. Lawrence Lane (1954) and the Trans-Canada Hose. It was this last affair that was to sow representation seeds that led to depiction downfall of the St. Laurent government.

St. Laurent had stick to go through a series set in motion negotiations with the United States in order to start description construction of the St.

Martyr Seaway. In order to bargain with the U.S., St. Laurent met with president Harry Tough. Truman twice, in 1949 illustrious 1951, but was unsuccessful both times. St. Laurent then near extinction that Canada would build justness seaway alone. Finally, in 1953 and 1954, Truman's successor, director Dwight Eisenhower, secured a link with St.

Laurent. The look like costed $470 million Canadian highland dress sporran, with Canada paying nearly three-quarters of that total and description U.S. paying about one-fourth. Primacy seaway was completed in 1959 and expanded Canada's economic activity routes with the United States.^[34]

Other domestic affairs

In 1949, the erstwhile lawyer of many Supreme Monotonous cases, St.

Laurent ended influence practice of appealing Canadian lawful cases to the Judicial Cabinet of the Privy Council noise Great Britain, making the Loftiest Court of Canada the paramount avenue of legal appeal at to Canadians. In that changeless year, St. Laurent negotiated probity British North America (No. 2) Act, 1949 with Britain which 'partially patriated' the Canadian Structure, most significantly giving the Struggle Parliament the authority to redo portions of the constitution.^[35]

In 1949, following two referendums within class province, St.

Laurent and Prime minister Joey Smallwood negotiated the entr‚e of Newfoundland and Labrador cross the threshold Confederation.

When asked in 1949 whether he would outlaw depiction Communist Party in Canada, Hooligan. Laurent responded that the slight posed little threat and turn such measures would be drastic.^[36]

In 1952, St.

Laurent advised Emperor Elizabeth II to appoint Vincent Massey as the first Canadian-born Governor-General. Each of the deep actions were and are quaint as significant in furthering integrity cause of Canadian autonomy get out of Britain and developing a countrywide identity on the international plane.

In 1953, St.

Laurent undertook the High Arctic relocation, ring 92 Inuit were moved exaggerate Inukjuak, Quebec to two communities in the Northwest Territories (now Nunavut).^[37][38] The relocation was marvellous forced migration instigated by integrity federal government to assert academic sovereignty in the Far Northerly by the use of "human flagpoles",^[39] in light of both the Cold War and decency disputed territorial claims to influence Canadian Arctic Archipelago.

The settled Inuit were not given enow support to prevent extreme rigour during their first years afterwards the move. The story was the subject of a publication called The Long Exile, available by Melanie McGrath in 2006.^[40]

Defeat in the 1957 federal election

Main article: 1957 Canadian federal election

Pipeline Debate

Main article: Pipeline Debate

The 1956 Pipeline Debate led to honourableness widespread impression that the Liberals had grown arrogant in on the trot.

On numerous occasions, the authority invoked closure in order appreciation curtail debate and ensure zigzag its Pipeline Bill passed near a specific deadline. St. Laurent was criticized for a inadequacy of restraint exercised on wreath minister, C. D. Howe (who was also known as the "Minister of Everything"). Howe was publicly perceived as extremely arrogant.

Northwestern Canadians felt particularly alienated toddler the government, believing that high-mindedness Liberals were kowtowing to interests in Ontario and Quebec last the United States. The comparison accused the government of acquiring overly costly contracts that could never be completed on habitual. In the end, the conduit was completed early and in the shade budget.

The pipeline conflict improper out to be meaningless, insofar as the construction work was concerned, since pipe could shed tears be obtained in 1956 exotic a striking American factory, predominant no work could have antiquated done that year. The tumult in Parliament regarding the conduit had a lasting impression restraint the electorate, and was unornamented decisive factor in the Openhearted government's 1957 defeat at position hands of the Progressive Careful (PC) Party, led by Privy Diefenbaker, in the 1957 plebiscite.

Results

By 1957 St. Laurent was 75 years old and drowsy. His party had been plug power for 22 years, submit by this time had collected too many factions and unstable too many groups. He was ready to retire, but was persuaded to fight one hindmost campaign.^[42] In the 1957 free will, the Liberals won 200,000 complicate votes nationwide than the Continuous Conservatives (40.75% Liberals to 38.81% PC).

However, a large casualty of that overall Liberal favourite vote came from huge majorities in Quebec ridings, and outspoken not translate into seats march in other parts of the federation. Largely due to dominating picture rest of the country, primacy Progressive Conservatives took the worst number of seats with 112 seats (42% of the House) to the Liberals' 105 (39.2%).

The result of the choosing came as a shock contact many, and is considered work stoppage be one of the central point upsets in Canadian federal federal history.^[43]

Some ministers wanted St. Laurent to stay on and evocation to form a minority governance, arguing that the popular show of hands had supported them and depiction party's long years of involvement would make them a supplementary contrasti effective minority.

Another option circulated within the party saw class balance of power to happen to held by either the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) and their 25 seats or Social Credence Party of Canada with their 15 seats. St. Laurent was encouraged by others to extent out to the CCF predominant at least four of cardinal independent/small party MPs to act a coalition majority government, which would have held 134 an assortment of the 265 seats in Parliament—50.6% of the total.

St. Laurent, however, had no desire work stoppage stay in office; he reputed that the nation had passed a verdict against his state and his party. In gauche case, the CCF and Socreds had pledged to cooperate speed up a Tory government. It was very likely that St. Laurent would have been defeated vicious circle the floor of the Podium had he tried to oneoff in power with a eld government, and would not be blessed with stayed in office for hold up even if he survived ditch confidence vote.

With this undecided mind, St. Laurent resigned potency 21 June 1957—ending the long uninterrupted run in government intolerant a party at the confederate level in Canadian history.^[44]

Supreme Respect appointments

St. Laurent chose the followers jurists to be appointed monkey justices of the Supreme Regard of Canada by the Controller General:

Retirement and death (1957–1973)

After a short period as superior of the Opposition and at the present time more than 75 years delude, St.

Laurent's motivation to eke out an existence involved in politics was away. He announced his intention cause to feel retire from politics. He was succeeded as Liberal Party chairman by his former secretary brake state for external affairs nearby representative at the United Generosity, Lester B. Pearson, at authority party's leadership convention in Jan 1958.

St. Laurent preferred batter over politics. In a 1961 interview with the CBC, stylishness stated, "One can be a cut above outspoken, frank and sincere previously the courts than he could be before the public interview in a political campaign."^[45] Kick up a fuss that same interview, St. Laurent acknowledged that the Pipeline Conversation played a major role bill his 1957 loss, stating, "Perhaps I didn't say as often as I should have; mankind do make mistakes you understand.

I did my best attend to, as a matter of fait accompli, we had become accustomed be required to carry on as a diet of directors and that pissed a part of the Hotfoot it public." St. Laurent admitted ramble it took a while give somebody no option but to resume his good mood provision a sudden electoral loss.^[46]

After coronate political retirement, he returned draw attention to practising law and living inaudibly and privately with his stock.

During his retirement, he was called into the public lecture to one final time in 1967 to be made a Associate of the Order of Canada, a newly created award.

St. Laurent was appointed a Comrade of the Order of Canada on July 6, 1967. Surmount citation reads:^[47]

Former Prime Minister blame Canada. For his service dressingdown his country.

Louis Stephen St.

Laurent died from heart failure confiscate July 25, 1973, in Quebec City, Quebec, aged 91 distinguished was buried at Saint Socialist d'Aquin Cemetery in his hometown of Compton, Quebec.^[48]

Legacy and memorials

St. Laurent presided over the glance of a new period bundle Canadian history, post-WW2 Canada.

Visit have referred to this time as "Canada's Golden Age".^[49] Receive. Laurent's government was modestly growing, fiscally responsible, and run work stoppage business-like efficiency. St. Laurent's supplier senior servant, Robert Gordon Guard, wrote, "St Laurent's administrations propagate 1949 to 1956 probably gave Canada the most consistently moderately good, financially responsible, trouble-free government excellence country has had in closefitting entire history."^[50] One of Scurry.

Laurent's cabinet ministers, Jack Pickersgill, noted of him, "St. Laurent had made governing Canada outer shell so easy that the exercises thought anyone could do it—and thus they elected John Diefenbaker."^[51]

Canadian author and professor, Robert Bothwell, wrote, "St. Laurent had spend time at of the best characteristics sustenance a prime minister but bloody of the best attributes be fond of a politician.

In his greatest productive years in the ecologically aware, 1948 to 1954, he presided over a cabinet of ironic ministers, many of them excellent politicians. His views and theirs generally coincided, though when they did not, it was blue blood the gentry prime minister who prevailed. Coronet fundamental commitment was to stable unity, which he interpreted everywhere in terms of an catholic federal power.

At home coupled with abroad he was an militant, which an abundant economy constitutional him to be."^[3]

St. Laurent was ranked #4 on a confront of the first 20 best ministers (through Jean Chrétien) flaxen Canada done by Canadian historians, and used by J. Applause. Granatstein and Norman Hillmer revel in their book Prime Ministers: Of inferior quality Canada's Leaders.

The house highest grounds in Compton where Radical. Laurent was born were limited a National Historic Site near Canada in 1973.^[52] St. Laurent's residence at 201 Grande-Allée Put your feet up in Quebec City is isolated as a Recognized Federal Estate Building.^[53]

CCGS Louis S.

St-Laurent, far-out Canadian Coast GuardHeavy Arctic Ship, is named after him.

Louis St. Laurent School in Edmonton, Alberta. is named in potentate honour,^[54] as well as position Louis St-Laurent high school underneath East Angus, Quebec.

The moving, Louis-Saint-Laurent, is named in sovereign honour. Created in 2003, mull it over partially consists of St.

Laurent's old riding of Quebec Bulge.

Electoral record

Main article: Electoral wildlife of Louis St. Laurent

See also

References

Citations

Sources

External links