Louis Stephen St.

Louis Stephen St. Laurent - Biography. 12th prime minister of Canada Birth February 1, 1882 Death July 25, 1973 Place of Birth Compton, Québec Constituencies Québec East, Québec (1942-1958) Political Party Liberal Term 1948-1957 Significant Acts Added Newfoundland to the confederation in 1949 as Canada's 10th province Appointed the first Canadian-born governor-general, Vincent Massey, in 1952 Established federal equalization payments to the poorer provinces in 1956, for the provision of public services Made the Supreme Court the highest court in Canada, and abolished the referral of judicial appeals to the Privy Council in London Established a royal commission on the state of the arts in Canada Career 1941-1946, 1948 Served as minister of justice and attorney general 1942-1958 Sat in the Canadian House of Commons 1946-1948 Served as secretary of state for external affairs 1948 Was selected to lead the Liberal Party November 15, 1948 Became prime minister after William L. Mackenzie King resigned 1949 Continued as prime minister after the Liberal Party won election 1953 Maintained his post as prime minister after the Liberals won election again June 1957 Resigned as prime minister after the Conservatives won election Did You Know St. Laurent grew up speaking French to his father and English to his mother, and as a young boy believed all families spoke two languages. St. Laurent first studied to become a Catholic priest. St. Laurent was known as Uncle Louis because of his kindly manner and affection for children. Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.