One Year Later

Slouching angularly at his front-row desk in the House of Commons, Conservative Prime Minister John Diefenbaker deftly handled some fast-breaking problems of state. With a quick parliamentary shuffle he bottled up a CCF (socialist) demand for Canadian recognition of Red China, thus earning Washington's warm approval. He coolly denied strife-torn Newfoundland (TIME, March 23) the lavish federal aid that the province wants (leading Liberal Premier Joseph Smallwood to cry "betrayal'' and drape provincial buildings in crape). Then, as the House droned toward Easter recess, weary John Diefenbaker caught a Saskatchewan-bound jet transport for a few days off on the anniversary of his monumental election victory a year ago this week.

Diefenbaker's year as undisputed boss has left a large mark on Canadian affairs. His "vision of the north" moved toward reality as plans were drafted for new roads, railroads, and air routes stretching into the mineral-rich northland. He improved Canada's social welfare system, put into effect a long-planned national hospitalization scheme. He tightened Canada's Commonwealth ties by a two-month good-will tour of Commonwealth capitals.

After alarming some Americans with election-campaign Yankee-baiting, Diefenbaker has emerged in office as a firm and responsible friend of the U.S. His ministers take pains to assure U.S. investors that their dollars are welcome and safe in Canada. Diefenbaker's cooperation in defense has strengthened the effectiveness of the joint U.S.-Canadian North American Air Defense Command.

Through a year of recession, unemployment, and some essential naysaying, Diefenbaker has managed to keep the voters on his side. The Gallup poll reports that 54% of the Canadians like the Tories--exactly the same proportion that voted for them a year ago. Reasons (as reported by Gallup) for the Tory popularity: old-age pensions, the government's record, and the buoyant, aggressive personality of John Diefenbaker.

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