CBC Archives

Discuss with students how both Louis St. Laurent and his right-hand man, Clarence D. Howe, had said they would retire from politics at the end of the second term. Both men decided to stay on and run for a third term. The Liberals were soundly defeated by Diefenbaker and the Progressive Conservative Party.

Working in small groups, have students discuss whether they feel there should be a limit put on how long a prime minister or any politician should be able to run for office. Have a spokesperson for each group share the group’s ideas.

Direct students to the topic Uncle Louis and Canada’s Golden Age on the CBC Radio and Television Archives Web site. In their groups, have students browse Clips # 8, 9, and 10 to determine how the factors listed below contributed to the defeat of St. Laurent and the Liberals in the 1957 election:

St. Laurent’s age and health

Howe’s persistence

The Trans-Canada pipeline

The “arrogance” label

Other factors

Using the information they have gathered, students write a letter, on their own, to St. Laurent during his second term in office to give him advice that might change the outcome of the election.

Students return to their groups and share their letters. Reach consensus on the best advice that could have been given to St. Laurent. Gather as a whole class and discuss the results. Note similarities and differences among the groups.

Students can perform research to determine the events, circumstances, and policies that are influencing public opinion about the current federal party in office. They use the information to write a letter of advice to the prime minister to outline actions that would influence popular vote.