Word: pearson
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...other problem is the 200-year-old question of French-English relations in Canada. Lester Pearson's greatest ambition was to forge national unity in a country that has never been united, and at his retirement, this ambition has been frustrated. He saw in the Centennial Year of 1967 a chance to begin a new era in French-English relations. Then General de Gaulle raised the cry "Vive le Quebec libre!" in Montreal, and it was clear once again that the ancient conflict cannot be wished away...
Canada's position is that its membership on the International Control Commission demands her continued neutrality, and Pearson is undoubtedly sincere in his belief that neutrality is essential if Canada is to contribute to any settlement of the Vietnam war. But the timidity of Canada's position on Vietnam has a less obscure basis--a well-founded respect for American power in the Canadian economy. Pearson has nonetheless made an occasional foray into the debate over Vietnam, notably in a Philadelphia speech in April, 1965, when he called for a halt in U.S. bombings of North Vietnam. He met with...
...fall of 1965, Pearson was persuaded to call another general election in the hope of bolstering his government's weak parliamentary position. The campaign was devoid of issues. Unable to campaign on their brief record (of which the highlight was adoption of a national flag in February, 1965), the Liberals argued that their legislative programs could not be implemented without a Parliamentary majority. The electorate, unconvinced and bored, failed to give them one. The Pearson government was narrowly returned to office, with its Parliamentary strength increased by only three seats. Pearson was disappointed and humiliated...
Despite its tendency toward political misadventure, the Pearson government has compiled a surprisingly solid legislative record. It has built up a progressive social security system, and has begun to introduce the principle of the guaranteed annual income. It successfully managed the difficult task of unifying Canada's Army, Navy and Air Force into a single force designed largely for United Nations peace-keeping missions. Most recently it effectively abolished capital punishment in Canada...
...Canada's two basic problems remain unresolved. The first is American economic and political domination. Pearson's effectiveness has been limited to successful lobbying against U.S. balance-of-payment restrictions which would have badly damaged the Canadian economy. But the Canadian public is aware that it owes its high standard of living to American capital, and is unreceptive to calls for a sharp assertion of Canadian economic independence. The Pearson government's failure to bring it about is hardly surprising...