The Diefenbaker Canada Centre is nestled near the river on the University of Saskatchewan grounds. It is a unique public facility that contains over 4000 artifacts of Canada’s thirteenth Prime Minister, John G. Diefenbaker. Diefenbaker moved as a boy to Saskatchewan and attended the University of Saskatchewan, obtaining degrees in political studies, economics and law. Eventually he became leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada and was elected Prime Minister — the first and only individual from Saskatchewan to do so to date.

Within the Diefenbaker Centre, there are permanent exhibits of the Prime Minister’s rule including replicas of both the Cabinet room and the Prime Minister’s office. The Centre also contains the Archives which consist of over three million documents, eight thousand photographs and two major press clipping collections.

Temporary and travelling exhibits also rotate throughout the museum, sharing the centre. During a recent visit, the museum had numerous displays of the ‘Underground Railroad’, detailing the stories of people who helped black men, women and children to escape slavery in the U.S. for a new life in Canada. Back in my university days, I also vividly remember going to the Centre to see a copy of the Magna Carta as part of my Political Studies class. The Magna Carta is the first document that was forced onto the English monarchy by the citizens in an attempt to limit its powers.

Mr. Diefenbaker is buried a short walk away from the Centre beside his wife Olive overlooking the river.

Photo Courtesy Daniel Boulet

Diefenbaker Canada Centre
University of Saskatchewan
101 Diefenbaker Place

306 966-8384