He wasn’t born into power, and he didn’t fit the political could. But John Diefenbaker reshaped Canadian politics with grit, principle, and a deep belief in a freer, more united country.
A new book offers fresh insight into one of the most complex and often misunderstood figures in Canadian politics. In Freedom Fighter: John Diefenbaker’s Battle for Canadian Liberties and Independence, political historian Bob Plamondon provides a timely reassessment. He offers a compelling look at Diefenbaker’s legacy.
Diefenbaker’s tenure as Prime Minister offers valuable lessons that remain relevant today. Diefenbaker was one of the first Canadian prime ministers who didn’t come from the traditional English or French elite. That gave him a unique view of being Canadian. His perspective was not rooted in the old colonial tensions. He believed in strengthening Canada as a proud, independent nation. That belief was both his driving force and, at times, a political trap. For Diefenbaker, “true north, strong and free” wasn’t a campaign line; it was how he lived.
One of his most lasting contributions, as outlined in Freedom Fighter, was his push to enshrine our freedoms into law. The Canadian Bill of Rights wasn’t perfect; few things are. However, it marked the beginning of the codification of civil liberties in this country. It set a precedent that would shape Canada for decades to come.
The book also reminds us of another key part of Diefenbaker’s legacy: his lifelong defense of the disadvantaged. As a prairie lawyer, he often took on cases for those who couldn’t afford a voice. That principle carried into his government. Under his leadership, Canada expanded pensions for veterans and increased support for the most vulnerable. In short, Diefenbaker didn’t just talk about fairness, he acted on it.
Of course, Diefenbaker wasn’t a perfect politician. The book makes clear he often clashed with his cabinet and butted heads with key ministers. His feud with Bank of Canada governor James Coyne became a defining low point. Political management wasn’t his strength; he was far more effective as a conviction-driven leader than a backroom operator.
Diefenbaker’s tenure as Prime Minister offers valuable lessons that remain relevant today. As the first PM of neither English nor French origin, he helped redefine Canadian identity based on principle, not privilege. He stood up for individual freedom long before it was popular, laying the groundwork for the rights we enjoy today. And above all, he never forgot who he served: the Canadian people.
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