by Denis Smith
17 See, for example, Dempson, Assignment, 99-109; Stursberg, Leadership Gained, 156-58; Levine, Scrum Wars, 209-23; Newman, Renegade, 314-34.
18 Victor Mackie in Stursberg, Leadership Gained, 157
19 Dempson, Assignment, 108-09; Nicholson, Vision, 104-05; Levine, Scrum Wars, 218. Shortly afterwards, Conservative headquarters announced that it had paid the costs of the Department of Transport flight to the Yukon. King was the object of greater prime ministerial fury on another occasion in 1962.
20 James Oastler, quoted in Newman, Renegade, 315
21 Dempson, Assignment, 102-05
22 Nicholson, Vision, 105
23 In February 1961 Diefenbaker was furious over suggestions made by the Globe and Mail’s Philip Deane at a Toronto dinner hosted by Oakley Dalgleish that Diefenbaker had interfered personally in the work of the Canadian delegation to the United Nations. In a draft memo to Dalgleish, Diefenbaker described the charge as an “unmitigated falsehood” and “downright prevarication.” Whether or not the memo was delivered, the publisher quickly learned of Diefenbaker’s displeasure and let the prime minister know that Deane “was no longer in his employ.” In this case Deane was not the apostate (he had never been an intimate), but the Globe and Mail was. Draft memo, JGD to Mr Oakley Dalgleish, February 26, 1961; Senator L.P. Beaubien to JGD, March 7, 1961, JGDP, XII/56/C/124
24 The quotation is from the transcript of a tape recording made by Michael Wardell of the Fredericton Gleaner on November 20-21, 1970, and passed on to Diefenbaker at that time. JGDP, XIV/E/219. Despite their close friendship from 1956 to 1962, Diefenbaker does not mention Bassett in his memoirs for this period. Bassett became persona non grata when the Telegram turned against Diefenbaker during the 1963 election campaign. Polite relations were soon restored, but Diefenbaker was offended by Bassett’s failure to stand up for him at the 1966 annual meeting of the Progressive Conservative Party, and this time there was no reconciliation. The final volume of the memoirs makes only slighting references to Bassett.
25 John Bassett to JGD, December 20, 1957, JGDP, VI/312.2.02-Bassett, 102742
26 John Bassett to JGD, May 22, 1958, ibid., 102731
27 John Bassett to JGD, March 23, 1959, ibid., 102727
28 See, for example, Peter Dempson’s “Two Years … Onward and Upward,” Telegram, May 9, 1959.
29 Bassett quotes Beaverbrook in the Wardell tape. In his letter to Diefenbaker, he set out these reasons (and others) in more diplomatic language. He believed he could “make a more useful contribution to the maintenance of the political ideas and ideals which you represent and in which I so strongly believe” by staying where he was as publisher of the Telegram and chairman of the new television station recently granted a private broadcasting licence by the Board of Broadcast Governors - the new authority created by the Diefenbaker government in 1958. Diefenbaker had already been criticized for conferring the favour of the TV licence - although there was never evidence to suggest interference in the BBG’s choice. A copy of Bassett’s letter of November 16, 1960, appears with the Wardell transcript. A few weeks later, Bassett sought and received Diefenbaker’s permission to establish three “Diefenbaker Scholarships” at the University of New Brunswick, to be awarded to students from Israel “in recognition of your services to your country and also of your appreciation and understanding of the aspirations of Israel, where you are remembered as a honored visitor.” John Bassett to JGD, December 7, 1960; JGD to John Bassett, December 16, 1960, JGDP, VI/312-2.02-Bassett, 102694, 102693
30 Members of the two new governing boards were appointed by orders-in-council in November 1958. Under the guidance of George Nowlan, cabinet agreed to avoid excessive partisanship and to select members by region. Diefenbaker’s preferences were only evident in two (or perhaps three) of the fifteen appointments to the Board of Broadcast Governors, including his longtime friend Carlyle Allison (editor of the Winnipeg Tribune) as a full-time member and his Prince Albert supporter and friend Dr Mabel Connell as a part-time member. The CCF constitutional expert Eugene Forsey was also named a part-time governor. Among the nine part-time members appointed to the board of the CBC, only one - the broadcaster and former Conservative MP Kate Aitken - was suggested by Diefenbaker. Conrad, Nowlan, 217-18; “Background and History of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation Board of Directors,” February 1961, JGDP, XII/51/C/76
31 Conrad, Nowlan, 219-25. Diefenbaker does not mention the affair in his memoirs.
32 CC, 57-59, April 21, 1959
33 Michael Wardell, “John Bassett at Toronto … November 20/21, 1970,” JGDP, XIV/E/219. Bushnell replied to Bassett after reading the text of Barkway’s broadcast, “He most certainly did not pull any punches”; but he added that “Barkway was about the only person who took this severely critical tone” on the issue … Too bad you had not heard ‘the other side.’ ” Bassett copied the letter to Diefenbaker with the suggestion that “one of these days when you have a little more time, I would like to have a serious talk with you about the CBC and how, I believe, the real problem with regard to a general anti-government feeling can, perhaps, be solved.” Diefenbaker replied: “I shall be looking forward to that serious talk of which you write.” Bassett’s solution probably referred to more effective control of management by the CBC board, which was later sought by the government. In mid-April a Telegram editorial returned to the attack, charging that “the CBC has maintained a strong editorial bias which can be described as anti-government.” John Bassett to JGD, April 3, 1959, enclosing copy of E.L. Bushnell to Bassett, April 1, 1959; JGD to John Bassett, April 8, 1959, JGDP, VI/312.2.02-Bassett, 102724-26; editorial, Telegram, April 14, 1959
34 Debates, June 23, 1959, 5041; Gowan T. Guest, “Private Memorandum for The Prime Minister and Minister of National Revenue only,” June 24, 1959, enclosing “Draft Statement,” nd, JGDP, XII/2/A/25. Diefenbaker also received (“for the P.M.’s future reference”) a list of fees paid by the CBC to all speakers, commentators, and panelists during 1958, containing over three hundred names of journalists, broadcasters, and academics. There is no indication that Diefenbaker made any direct use of the information, but it remained in his confidential files. G.G. to Mr. Hetherington, “Earnings of Speakers … on all programs 1958,” nd, ibid.
35 According to W.L. Morton, a member of the CBC board during the dispute, the phrase “heads will roll” originated with Nowlan’s combative assistant (and intimate friend) Ruby Meabry, who had telephoned Bushnell on her own initiative in the hope of spiking the program’s criticisms of the government. Knowlton Nash suggests that the words came originally from Diefenbaker himself. After Diefenbaker’s defeat in 1963, Meabry became one of Diefenbaker’s secretaries as leader of the opposition. Colin Wright, “Summary of an interview with Professor W.L. Morton,” February 26, 1971; Conrad, Nowlan, 225-29; Levine, Scrum Wars, 222-23; Dempson, Assignment, 105-08; Peers, The Public Eye, 193-200; Nash, Microphone Wars, 294-300; Telegram, June 22, 24, 25, 1959. In 1961, during the absence of both Diefenbaker and Nowlan, ministers agreed to recommend creation of a cabinet committee “to assist Mr. Nowlan in investigating the programming of the CBC.” But nothing came of the proposal on their return. CC, 32-61, March 14, 1961
36 Horwood, Joey, 239
37 CC, 34-59, 35-59, 36-59, 37-59, March 11, 12, 13, 14, 1959; Fleming, Near 2, 32-33; Newman, Renegade, 163-70; Conrad, Nowlan, 223-24; Pickersgill, The Road Back, 52-57
38 Fleming, Near 2, 34; Newman, Renegade, 167-70; Debates, March 16, 1959, 1959-62; interview with E.D. Fulton, September 24, 1993
39 Debates, March 16, 1959, 1959
40 See, for example, Fleming, Near 2, 34. L.B. Pearson, who was embarrassed by Smallwood’s actions and the support they received from his Newfoundland MPs, did not explicitly reject the Diefenbaker government’s decision.
41 OC 2, 316-20, esp. 320; Horwood, Joey, 234-48; Stursberg, Leadership Gained, 222-24; interview with E.D. Fulton, September 24, 1993
42 Fleming, Near 2, 31-33
43 Debates, March 25, July 14, 15, 1959, 2215-16, 5985-6019, 6028-67; Fleming, Near 2, 34-38
44 Robinson, Diefenbaker’s World, 89-91; OC 2, 45-46; Fleming, Near 2, 26-27
45 JGD to Elmer Diefenbaker, March 20, 1959, JGDP, V/3, 1811-14
46 The previous three paragraphs are based upon Dempson, Assignment, 103-05; Robinson, Diefenbaker’s World, 93; Fleming, Near 2, 27-30. Fleming saw his rejection as the turning point of his career. Afterwards it was downhill all the way.
47 Robinson, Diefenbaker’s World, 93; Newman, Renegade, 340-46
48 Diefenbaker’s account of the appointment differed notably from this one. He insisted that the idea was his own, inspired by seeing Vanier at an honorary degree ceremony at Université de Montréal in June 1959. “No one,” wrote Diefenbaker, “had suggested his name to me.” According to Diefenbaker, the intermediary in his approach was Cardinal Léger. The claim seems specifically intended to deny Bassett’s role, but the record refutes it. Editorial, Telegram, December 4, 1958; John Bassett to JGD, December 23, 1958; Michael Wardell, “John Bassett at Toronto … November 20/21, 1970, 7-8, JGDP, XII/4/A/61, XIV/E/219; Telegram, June 10, 1959; OC 2, 60-61; Robinson, Diefenbaker’s World, 81; Dempson, Assignment, 109; Fleming, Near 2, 81-83; Newman, Renegade, 232
49 Elizabeth R to JGD, May 13, 1959; JGD to Mary F. Diefenbaker, June 18, July 2 and 7, 1959, JGDP, XII/87/D/167; V/1, 877, 886, 890-91; Fleming, Near 2, 55-59
50 JGD to Mary F. Diefenbaker, June 14, 18, 20, July 2, 7, 9, and 24, 1959; JGD to Elmer Diefenbaker, July 18, 1959, JGDP, V/1, 875, 877, 878-81, 886, 890-91, 894-97, 909, 906-07. On July 8 the Diefenbakers incurred the wrath (or ridicule) of the press by offering only tea and lemonade to several hundred guests at a humid reception marking the end of a long parliamentary session. The Globe and Mail reported that this was “almost unheard of” in Ottawa, except at parties hosted by the Indian and Pakistani high commissions. But the story added that, at a large buffet supper for the queen in Montreal two weeks earlier, the Diefenbakers had offered only orange juice. Diefenbaker told reporters that “he thought it was a good idea and would continue with it.” George Nowlan was not impressed: when he could not get a cool gin and tonic, he spat out an oath and departed. Allister Grosart told a reporter that Diefenbaker had responded to his plea to serve alcohol with twinkling eyes: “Give them hot tea; it will be good for them.” Globe and Mail, July 9, 1959; Stursberg, Leadership Gained, 158-59
51 For these two paragraphs, see JGD to Mary Diefenbaker, July 17, August (nd), September 9, October 16 and 21, 1959; February 26, May 7, June 3, November 11, 1960, JGDP, V/1, 908, 928-31, 932, 945-46, 958, 1032, 1071-72, 1139. Diefenbaker did not actually receive the Freedom of the City of London until a brief visit in late February 1963, after his government’s defeat in the House of Commons.
52 A.R.M. Lower to JGD, July 9, 1957, JGDP, XII/5/A/122
53 Globe and Mail, April 25, 1958
54 Bora Laskin, “Constitutional Power Respecting a Bill of Rights for Canada,” June 27, 1958, JGDP, VII/68/A/551.2, 39812-20. Diefenbaker marked his copy of this document with frequent underlinings and marginal comments.
55 Interview with E.D. Fulton, September 24, 1993; OC 2, 255-56; Globe and Mail, September 6, 1958
56 McWhinney, “Bill of Rights,” CAR 1960, 260
57 Globe and Mail, September 8, 1958
58 Ibid., September 11, 1958
59 Goodman monitored the debate and kept in touch with the prime minister on the subject throughout the winter. See E.A. Goodman to JGD, January 13, March 9, 1959; JGD to E.A. Goodman, March 13, 1959, JGDP, VI/366/413.1, 286137, 285461-62.
60 Bora Laskin, “The Proposed Bill of Rights,” December 10, 1958; E.A. Goodman to JGD, January 13, 1959, JGDP, VII/68/A/551.2, 39835-49; VI/366/413.1, 286137-38
61 McWhinney, “Bill of Rights,” 262
62 Globe and Mail, September 9, 1959
63 F.R. Scott to JGD, December 21, 1959, JGDP, VI/366/413.1, 285648-49
64 OC 2, 256-57; JGD to F.R. Scott, December 22, 1959, ibid., 285647
65 Debates, July 1, 1960, 5643-50, esp. 5645, 5649-50
66 Ibid., July 7, 1960, 5939. Diefenbaker used his old poetic licence about his mother’s name.
67 Ibid., July 1, 1960, 5643; OC 2, 258
68 Debates, August 4, 1960, 7552-53; Globe and Mail, August 5, 1960
69 Globe and Mail, August 11, 1961. Diefenbaker also used the ornamental copy of the Bill as the frontispiece to the second volume of his memoirs.
70 OC 2, 264-65
71 Bill C-79, “An Act for the Recognition and Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms,” sections 2, 6(5)
72 OC 2, 262-63
73 See above, 258-60. In April 1966, when preparing for hearings of the Spence commission of inquiry, Diefenbaker prepared a memorandum for file which briefly recalled his practice in security matters. Robert Bryce, he wrote, would bring specific security cases to him for review, but he denied having seen any reference to “the Cabinet Directive of 1952” [sic]: “The Clerk of the Privy Council would outline the case and his views and I would be shown the documents in the particular case. After discussion, I would give suggestions as to what course should be followed that, in my opinion, would protect the security of the State while at the same time assuring to the maximum degree consistent with national security the fundamental rights of the individual.” JGD, Memorandum, April 24, 1966, JGDP, XIV/E/172
74 Don Wall to Security Panel, May 12, 1959, CSIS, AIR 91-088, quoted in Robinson and Kimmel, “Queer Career,” 319-45, esp. 332
75 J.M. Bella to RCMP commissioner, April 29, 1959, CSIS, AIR 92-008, quoted ibid., 334
76 Ibid., 342. Fleming, who was by now justice minister, attended this meeting, along with Bryce, Robertson, Harvison, Pelletier, and Wall.
77 Ibid., 339-42
78 Victims of the purge included an assistant undersecretary of state for external affairs, who had worked closely with the prime minister during his first three years in power. He resigned from the public service in 1960, and subsequently had a distinguished private career. Another was a Canadian ambassador in Moscow, who was fired in 1960. Diefenbaker may have been referring to these cases in his 1966 memorandum when he mentioned “two cases involving Embassy representatives of the U.S.S.R.” [sic]. JGD, Memorandum, April 24, 1966, JGDP, XIV/E/172; Globe and Mail, April 25, 1992; Robinson and Kimmel, “Queer Career,” 335; Sawatsky, For Services Rendered, 172-74
79 Interview with E.D. Fulton, September 24, 1993
80 JGD, Memorandum, April 24, 1966, JGDP, XIV/E/172
81 JGD, Confidential memorandum, “Re: Gerda Munsinger,” April 26, 1966. The person referred to was apparently Willie Obront, a Montrealer of dubious reputation. See also OC 3, 176.
82 E.D.F. to prime minister, nd, JGDP, XIV/E/145
83 JGD, “Memorandum re: Interview with Col. Sévigny,” December 21, 1960, JGDP, XIV/15/E/172
84 JGD, “Misc,” handwritten memorandum, nd, 1966, JGDP, XII/122/F/420
85 CAR 1960, 75-78, 83-85
86 Debates, January 18, 1960, 68-73, esp. 73
87 Ibid., February 1, 1960, 547
88 Toronto Star, February 2, 1960
89 H.E. Davies to JGD, November 19, 1959, JGDP, XII/8/A/282.3
90 Debates, January 29, 1960, 491
91 Ibid., February 5, 1960, 759
92 Robinson, Diefenbaker’s World, 123. Diefenbaker’s personal account of the 1960 and 1961 Commonwealth conferences is in OC 2, 208-21.
93 Telegram, Robert Menzies to External Affairs, No. 62, April 6, 1960, JGDP, XII/100/F/69. Diefenbaker marked these passages in the telegram.
94 George Ignatieff to External Affairs, No. 1115, April 11, 1960, JGDP, XII/100/F/69
95 Robinson, Diefenbaker’s World, 124
96 The cabinet held a lengthy and inconclusive discussion of the subject on April 11. According to the minutes, Diefenbaker told cabinet that its division “showed how difficult it was to reach a wise and agreed decision on thi
s matter. It would be necessary to move forward gradually.” CC, 47-60, April 11, 1960
97 Robinson indicates that this summary is based on his diary notes taken from April 5 to 11, 1960. Robinson, Diefenbaker’s World, 124
98 Debates, April 11, 1960, 3087-89; Robinson, Diefenbaker’s World, 125-26
99 CC, 51-60, April 20, 1960
100 Robinson, Diefenbaker’s World, 126
101 “Draft Answer to Possible Question on South Africa,” nd, JGDP, XII/41/B/337
102 Debates, April 27, 1960, 3339
103 Robinson, Diefenbaker’s World, 126-27
104 Evening Standard, April 29, 1960; Daily Express, April 30, 1960
105 “Meeting of Commonwealth Prime Ministers: Final Communiqué,” May 13, 1960, JGDP, XII/55/C/110
106 Debates, May 16, 1960, 3900
107 Handwritten notes, nd, JGDP, XII/100/F/69. The text Diefenbaker used in the House on May 16 was largely written by Basil Robinson, and reflected the more cautious position of the Department of External Affairs. See JGDP, XII/41/B/337.
108 Diefenbaker returned to the subject at the next cabinet meeting, suggesting that “the Canadian people should somehow be made aware of the implications for Canada of forthcoming changes in the composition of the Commonwealth. The U.K. allowed free migration of peoples, and as a result large-scale immigration of non-white people had already occurred and was continuing.” CC, 58-60, 59-60, May 14, 16, 1960
109 Harold Macmillan to JGD, August 3, 1960, JGDP, XII/6/A/149
110 Basil Robinson to USSEA, November 3, 1960, DEA, file 50085-J-40, vol. 1, quoted in Robinson, Diefenbaker’s World, 175
111 Macmillan, Pointing the Way, 293
112 Robinson, Diefenbaker’s World, 175-76. Robinson commented that the case exemplified “the difference between his approach and that of St Laurent and Pearson. They would have been scouting for common ground with other governments, perhaps New Zealand and India, searching for compromises that might become solutions. Diefenbaker was certainly interested in what others were thinking and planning, but the ambiguity in his own thinking and his concern to avoid political trouble at home deterred him from active consultation.”