This subseries consists of all files relating to the 1942, 1948, and 1956 conventions, national and provincial organizations, and the development of policy positions.

This series contains Diefenbaker’s papers for the six month period of his first term as Leader of the Opposition. Although Diefenbaker outpolled Donald Fleming and Davie Fulton after the first ballot, his rise to prominence had not been without its setbacks. This was his third try for the opposition which had escaped his grasp in 1942 and 1948. This series consists largely of post-convention correspondence and election material, but there are also files about headquarters organization, the appointment of advisors, and current political events such as the release of the report of the Gordon Commission on Canada’s Economic Prospects.

This series contains correspondence, clippings, memoranda, reports, speech material and memorabilia generated during Diefenbaker’s second term as Leader of the Opposition from April 1963 to September 1967.

This subseries contains correspondence dealing with such subjects as: trips and engagements; requests and appeals; the House of Commons; Royal Commissions; elections; the Progressive Conservative Party; law; resources; health and welfare; transportation and communication; and Canada’s foreign relations.

This subseries contains reference material and correspondence with heads of state, members of federal and provincial governments, prominent Canadians, and friends of Diefenbaker. Issues referred to include: government scandals; the economy; unification of the armed forces; the flag; elections; Quebec; Canada Pension Plan; Medicare; Expo ’67; unity and leadership of the Progressive Conservative party; and foreign affairs, particularly Canada-U.S. relations.

This subseries contains correspondence, clippings, and memorabilia sent to Diefenbaker by the general public. The letters cover a full range of political topics of the day. There is also correspondence from Diefenbaker’s Prince Albert constituents asking for his assistance as their Member of Parliament.

Fonds includes personal correspondence and papers, as well as background and reference material assembled by John Diefenbaker
and his staff. There is also large collection of press clippings, supplemented by press clippings gathered by the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada.

John Diefenbaker (1895-1979) and his brother, Elmer (1897-1971), were born in Ontario. Their parents, William T. Diefenbaker (1868-1945) and Mary Florence nee Bannerman (1872-1961), brought them to Saskatchewan in 1903 to homestead in the Prince Albert region. They were followed by William’s brother, Edward (1875-1960), who took up the neighbouring homestead. John married Edna Brower (1899-1951) in 1929; following her death, he married Olive Freeman Palmer (1902-1975) in 1953. John had no children, but his step-daughter, Carolyn Weir (1934- ), has several children. As the last survivor of his immediate family, John Diefenbaker inherited their papers, providing researchers with an opportunity to study both sides of the family correspondence. Olive Diefenbaker’s correspondence exceeds 13,000 pages, making it one of the largest collections of any Canadian political wife.

This series contains John Diefenbaker’s correspondence while Prime Minister, both incoming and outgoing, filed by his office staff. It contains correspondence with cabinet members, the Civil Service, other politicians, foreign leaders, personal friends and advisors, and the general public, all arranged in the same series of subject files. The topics covered include almost all the political and social questions of the period.

This series contains reference material collected by Diefenbaker and his office staff while Prime Minister and during his second term as Leader of the Opposition. It includes correspondence, reports, speech notes, press clippings, and some published material.