Diefenbaker Canada Centre

"We have the right to determine our own destiny at all times, in our own destiny at all times, in our own way, and without dictation in any way from any other country."

- Renfrew Ont.,
March 28, 1958

Prime Minister Diefenbaker, while leader of a majority government in 1959, greeted Queen Elizabeth II in St. John’s, Newfoundland.

Diefenbaker Canada Centre

Prime Minister Diefenbaker and President John F. Kennedy remain personal opponents but political allies as they walk down an Ottawa street on 16 May 1961.

Diefenbaker Canada Centre

Diefenbaker, an avid supporter of equality for all citizens and an advocate for minority rights, is welcomed in English and Chinese by Miriann Lee in November, 1962.

Diefenbaker Canada Centre

John Diefenbaker and Ellen Fairclough, the first female Federal Cabinet Minister, meet in the Prime Minister’s office to be photographed with some of his Sir John A. Macdonald memorabilia.

Diefenbaker Canada Centre

During his visit on 9 September 2010, Prime Minister Stephen Harper is greeted by DCC Director Michael Atkinson in front of Sir John A. Macdonald’s desk, a permanent artefact on display at the Centre.

Diefenbaker Canada Centre

Diefenbaker and his wife Olive meet with a group of Polish children in costume in Sarnia, Ontario in 1959.

Diefenbaker Canada Centre

Prime Minister Stephen Harper examines the DCC’s replica room of the Prime Minister’s office; he is met by Premier Brad Wall and University of Saskatchewan President, Peter MacKinnon.

Diefenbaker Canada Centre

John G. Diefenbaker in Indian headdress with a group of children of the Beardy Okemasis band at Old Mission School in Duck Lake.

Diefenbaker Canada Centre

John G. Diefenbaker signs a copy of the Canadian Bill of Rights, one of his proudest achievements.

Diefenbaker Canada Centre

Prior to presenting the Centre with funding to renovate the building, Prime Minister Stephen Harper shakes hands with University of Saskatchewan President, Peter MacKinnon.

Diefenbaker Canada Centre

Diefenbaker showing a rare smile while carried on the shoulders of a large crowd of Quebec supporters during the election campaign of 1962.

Freedom of Expression in Broad Strokes Featured at the Diefenbaker Canada Centre from May 31st to July 24th

Jun 01, 2012, 4:00 pm

Assembled by the Canadian Commission for UNESCO and the Canadian Committee for World Press Freedom, the exhibit is traveling across Canada where it is displayed in cities that are members of the Canadian Coalition of Municipalities against Racism and Discrimination.

The Diefenbaker Centre is now Open!

Mar 29, 2012, 1:00 am

The Diefenbaker Centre reopens its doors to the public March 30, 2012. Come explore our newly renovated museum and gallery. Click on the title to expand this page and view our media advisory.

Diefenbaker Canada Centre Launches New Website

Oct 05, 2010, 1:00 am

In the fall of 2010, the Diefenbaker Canada Centre is proud to launch their new website. This new website will increase public access to the Centre’s prestigious collection through virtual exhibitions and digitized content, encouraging interpretive analysis and broadening our audience.

Prime Minister Visits Diefenbaker Canada Centre

Sep 09, 2010, 1:00 pm

The Prime Minister of Canada, the Right Honourable Stephen Harper, paid a visit to the University of Saskatchewan Sept. 9. to announce federal support for the rejuvenation of the Diefenbaker Building.

New Community-Focused Exhibit at the Diefenbaker Canada Centre

May 19, 2010, 1:00 am

In the summer of 2010, the DCC proudly opened a new, community-based research exhibit created by the Centre for the Study of Co-operatives, entitled "Building Community: Creating Social and Economic Well-Being.” Suitable for all ages, this exhibition of research results focusing on co-operatives and the social economy encourages visitors to imagine what is possible in their communities and illustrates how to make those dreams become a reality.