Lester B. Pearson

14th Prime Minister of Canada

April 23, 1897 Newtonbrook, Toronto, Canada

December 27, 1972 Ottawa, Canada

Maryon Pearson

Lester Bowles Pearson was the 14th Prime Minister of Canada. He was a multi faceted person -professor, historian, civil servant, statesman, diplomat, and politician. He volunteered for services during World War I but was discharged early owing to an accident. He headed two back-to-back Liberal minority governments. He won the Nobel Prize for Peace for organizing the United Nations Emergency Force to resolve the Suez Canal Crisis. He was a strong supporter of international agencies and helped establish NATO. During his time as Prime Minister, his government introduced universal health care, student loans, the Canada Pension Plan, the Order of Canada, and the new Flag of Canada. He also convened the Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism, and he struggled to keep Canada out of the Vietnam War. His government passed Bill C-168, which virtually abolished capital punishment in Canada. He understood foreign policy well and never compromised his country’s interests. With regards to his Vietnam Policy and his dealing of French President de Gaulle’ speech, he was unequivocal and bold. During his turbulent and fairly brief years in office, his governments transformed Canada. For this reason he is considered one of the most influential Canadians of the 20th century.