George Drew, the Law of the Sea, and the Diefenbaker Government, 1957-1963

Abstract

ABSTRACT Scholarly analysis of John Diefenbaker’s government between 1957 and 1963 has focused heavily on Diefenbaker’s influence in the conduct of Canadian foreign policy. From the “renegade in power” to the “rogue Tory”, Diefenbaker frequently receives the primary credit or blame for determining Canada’s place in the wider world. This traditional evaluation, however, ignores the broad latitude often given to senior Canadian diplomats. Diefenbaker’s high commissioner to Britain, George Drew, played a particularly important role in shaping Anglo-Canadian relations. Building on his senior status within Progressive Conservative ranks, Drew proved resolute and unorthodox in advancing Canadian interests. A detailed case study of Drew’s efforts to secure a comprehensive international agreement on the law of the sea demonstrates his impact on Canadian foreign policy. Drew headed the Canadian delegation to two United Nations law of the sea conferences in 1958 and 1960 and vigorously pursued an international agreement delineating the width of the territorial sea eventually brokered after the Diefenbaker government left office in 1963.