Collection search - The Office of Prime Minister : [out-takes]

Record information – Brief

1

The Office of Prime Minister : [out-takes]

Item number (ISN):

219137

Hierarchical level:

Item (Accession level)

Date:

1966-12-29

Item number (ISN):

219137

Type of material:

Moving images

Found in:

Archives / Film, Video and Sound

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Record information – Details

Fonds/collection:

CRAWLEY FILMS LIMITED

Accession:

1983-0373

Media:

Film

Production date:

1966-12-29

Production company:

Crawley Films Limited

Production credit:

For production credits, see ISN 217357.

Description:

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Out-takes of an interview conducted by Blair Fraser with Lester Pearson. Some of this footage could likely be synched with the complete interview on the attached mag. tracks, 8330-2264/301 and 8330-2264/302.~8330-2264/301 Reel 1 - Pearson discusses: the role of the Prime Minister, cabinet and how decisions are made; the different styles of other Prime Ministers including Mackenzie King, R. B. Bennett, Louis St. Laurent and John Diefenbaker; story of how Pearson was stationed in London, England during the second World War and Bennett had the Pearson family to his country home to escape the bombing; refuses to discuss Louis St. Laurent in detail since he was still alive although he calls him the first gentleman in politics, a man conscripted to serve as Prime Minister and who did so out of his sense of honour; his most difficult decision - proceeding with the National Pension Plan knowing Quebec would not enter into a federal plan (Quebec opted out but gave the same plan provincially, transferable outside Quebec); belief that central government not weakened by provincial powers; disagreement with popular view that assertive provincial government references always mean Quebec, economic matters of great importance to other provinces; future governments facing the problem of huge population in urban settings leading to pollution, communication and transportation concerns. Also media communication and its effect on the mind; the importance of education that "helps you earn a living and meets the pressures of life"; Canadian identity - national unity and the need to understand the special position of French speaking Canadians inside the country, pressure from the U. S.; dissolution and minority governments. <32mn 07s>~8330-2264/302 Reel 2: example of recent legislation modified by discussion in the caucus - medicare: cabinet considered a one year postponement, caucus thought this wrong; national flag debate, caucus insistent that the new flag not be delayed; belief in the potential involvement of backbenchers in the forming of legislation through committees but acknowledging that ambitious members may be frustrated by the lack of opportunities to make "heroic speeches in front of the press"; belief that representative system is best for people to have control over their destinies; parliamentary system designed when government not as involved in the daily lives of individuals, the rules and regulations not efficient in dealing with the problems of 1967; need for a strong opposition; once believed parliamentary system was far superior but now thinks reform should be considered to allow committees to take decisions without a government being defeated; long debates over many days should be ended; checks on the power of a Prime Minister are adequate.~Budge Crawley approaches and greets Pearson at the conclusion of picture reel 8330-2264/206. <15mn 38s>

Language:

English

Notes:

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1. Interview conducted December 29th, 1966 beginning at 4:00 p.m.
Ordering and viewing options

Conditions of access:

open

Consultation copy number:

V1 2000-04-0024
V1 2000-04-0025
A1 2000-08-0019
V1 2003-12-0023
V1 2003-12-0024

Restrictions on consultation:

~No Restrictions / Pas de restrictions

Reproduction access:

With written permission of Copyright Owner / Avec la permission écrite du détenteur des droits d'auteur

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Date modified:: 2024-07-04