Canada’s Economic Action Plan - Prime Minister StephenHarper announces support for Diefenbaker Canada Centre

September 09, 2010

SASKATOON – Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced support to rejuvenate the Diefenbaker Canada Centre, helping the Centre maintain and promote Canadian research, culture and history.  The announcement comes as the Centre celebrates two key milestones: the fiftieth anniversary of the Canadian Bill of Rights and the thirtieth birthday of the Centre itself.
 
“John Diefenbaker believed all Canadians were equal before the law, and that the powers of government were not without limit.  Above all, he believed in freedom,” Prime Minister Harper said.  “To give practical expression to these profoundly valuable ideas, he stood before the House of Commons on Dominion Day in 1960, and introduced Canada’s Bill of Rights.  It is entirely fitting that 50 years after John Diefenbaker endowed Canada with its Bill of Rights, our Government continues to support the Diefenbaker Canada Centre as an important national treasure.”
 
The Harper Government and the University of Saskatchewan are providing a substantial joint investment to support upgrades at the Diefenbaker Canada Centre.  The investment will improve the Centre’s capacity to display the valuable artefacts, political collections and memorabilia that complement the Centre’s academic programming.  The Centre honours the legacy of John George Diefenbaker, Canada’s 13th Prime Minister and one of Canada’s great leaders. 
 
“We recognize government’s responsibility to maintain and care for our nation’s heritage,” the Prime Minister added. “And so, it is with the greatest satisfaction that I announce this partnership with the University of Saskatchewan to rejuvenate the Diefenbaker Canada Centre.”
 
The Government of Canada is supporting the project through the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, a key component of Canada’s Economic Action Plan that invests in infrastructure projects across Canada to stimulate economic activity and create jobs. 
 


Backgrounder

CANADA’S ECONOMIC ACTION PLAN
DIEFENBAKER CANADA CENTRE


The Harper Government is providing up to $1,327,200 through the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund to the University of Saskatchewan’s plan to rejuvenate the Diefenbaker Canada Centre, covering approximately half of the total eligible project costs of $2.65 million.  The University of Saskatchewan is covering the remaining costs. 
 
The project includes converting storage space to shared office and meeting spaces, restoring meeting and community spaces, renovating the lobby, and upgrading the main gallery and exhibit area, allowing for increased public programming. 
 
Located on the University of Saskatchewan campus, the Diefenbaker Canada Centre is a museum, archives and research centre.  It contains over three million documents, eight thousand photographs and two major press clippings collections which provide a unique record of John Diefenbaker's life and of Canadian history. 
 
When John Diefenbaker became Chancellor of the University of Saskatchewan in 1969, he announced his intention to bequeath his papers, memorabilia, personal library and Sir John A. Macdonald collection to his alma mater.  The Diefenbaker Canada Centre preserves these core collections.  In addition, it presents national and international cultural exhibitions and develops educational and public programs.  The Centre’s themes are Canadian citizenship, leadership and Canada’s role in the international community.

John Diefenbaker was Prime Minister of Canada from 1957 to 1963.  Born in Neustadt, Ontario in 1895, Mr. Diefenbaker trained to be a lawyer, graduating from the University of Saskatchewan with a Bachelor of Arts, a Master of Arts and an LLB.  On July 1, 1960, John Diefenbaker established the Canadian Bill of Rights, which committed the federal government to “the recognition and protection of human rights and freedoms.”
 
Through Canada's Economic Action Plan, the Government of Canada established the $4-billion Infrastructure Stimulus Fund (ISF).  The ISF provides funding to provincial, territorial, municipal and community infrastructure projects that are construction-ready, creating jobs and providing short-term economic stimulus.