John G. DiefenbakerJohn G. Diefenbaker, (1895-1979) Prime Minister of Canada

John G. Diefenbaker Quote

“I am a Canadian, free to speak without fear, free to worship in my own way, free to stand for what I think right, free to oppose what I believe wrong, or free to choose those who shall govern my country. This heritage of freedom I pledge to uphold for myself and all mankind.”

John G. DiefenbakerJohn G. Diefenbaker
~ John G. Diefenbaker

Paraphrasing the Canadian Bill of Rights, July 1, 1960.

Ratings and Comments


Brad, Mississauga

A Canadian said this? We have really drifted away from these beliefs in the last 40 years.

Lucien Alexandre Marion, Canada (Gatineau)Quebec)

It is by passing those words of such profond wisdom to our children and generations to follow, that is making Canada such a noble country of tolerance and peace. Thank you Sir. Merci

Anonymous

WELL SAID

emily
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emily    9/13/08
Anonymous
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Anonymous    5/29/09

This is what it means to be Canadian.

E Archer, NYC

Yes, well, that's easy for a ruler to say -- how about the common man?

Mike, Norwalk

ahh yes, there was, once upon a time in a land far far away, both north and south a remnant few that could, if nothing else, speak of perceived possibilities even after being dimmed by compelled compliance, license, victimless crimes, governmental larceny, etc.

Mike, Norwalk
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Mike, Norwalk Mike, Norwalk 2/2/22

Now, with the new world order tyrannical socialists in administrative control, it appears the truck drivers (a long with a many other) are trying to return to a land of liberty.

cal, lewisville, tx

yeah, well are you free to choose your doctor and the type of health care you desire?

jim k, austin

And free to travel to the USA to get some decent medical care. Our medical care will go into the tank if president Goodwrench has his way.

Humble Canadian, Montreal, Quebec

cal, yes, we are free to choose our own doctors, clinics, treatments, etc. Canadian healthcare is among the best in the world - only that doctors and nurses earn less money than their American counterparts, and treatments costs less, too. Bear in mind what is being proposed in the US is nothing like what we have in Canada. It is the health insurance biz in the US that is the problem - and what is being proposed there is a monopoly of health insurance companies. You guys are being conned (again) by your government - a government even more socialistic and totalitarian than Americans claim is in Canada. At least we value the quality of our lives more than dollars. We don't speak much about freedom here because for the most part, we have little reason to complain - after all, we are free to move to the US and make more money if we wish - but we like it here better. We don't vote for money here - we do our best to look out for ourselves and each other. We pay more in taxes than Americans, but look around and you can see that it is going to good use. I suggest you get out of the US every now and again and see how the rest of the world sees the US - we see you because you are very loud, you do not see us because you do not bother to look. :-)

J Carlton, Calgary

Wow, what a mixed bag of reviews. canada is about as free as the US is today, which is not very. We are not "free" to travel to the US anymore, now its "your papers pleez". Our health care system is like a shiny new car with a blown engine in it. It has as many horror stories as success stories and works very well as long as you don't get seriously ill. The waiting times of socialist medicare alone will kill you. I'd sure like to return to the time of Diefenbaker or better yet, the Constitution.

Anonymous
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Anonymous    6/10/09

Nice quote, if only it were true.

Rob, Edmonton

To J Carlton Calgary, So you want to return to the time of Diefenbaker. Diefenbaker made "Socialist medicare" possible. He first instituted the transfer payments to Saskatchewan for them to implement it and then set up a royal commission to study medicare under Justice Emmet Hall in 1961. The Hall Commission report in 1964 lay the foundation for a national medicare system founded on the principles of a universal, accessible, publicly administered system for all medically necessary treatment and care. Thank you Mr. Diefenbaker

anonymous?

i love this quote insanely accurate

Someone, Vancouver

It's a quote that defines freedom

Kimo, USA
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Kimo, USA    7/1/11

WHAT, now they want me to go to Canada??...................BUT, I do know yeah, you canucks can say pretty much what you like, and in the Nam, you sure had the best snipers, and ur my brothers, but, health care? We have sent a few up there, to check it out. Well, if ya get sick, ull have to wait, hope ya survive. The majority of TRUE Americans do not want socialized medicine. And some of us want to be free. One thing I'll give Canada, they dont have the worlds largest prison population. God bless Canada, and America.

Kimo, USA
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    Kimo, USA    7/1/11

    To defend Canada, I will say, yes there are some free men up there. And I feel and wish all Americans would think this way. Due to some recent changes, we are as you know a bit embroiled in some politics, a battle that will decide the fate of Canada, and the world.

    Leach Mindbinder

    Yeah, how's that workin' out?

    @

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