Leaders of Other Countries

Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King and President Franklin D. Roosevelt, 1938.  Copyright/Source

When Canada became a country, all Canadians were also British subjects. Britain was our "parent" country and very important. Later, the United States of America, as our next-door neighbour, became more important. Today, the prime minister must try to have a good relationship with the American president.

Canada has also become more important in the world. It is called a "middle power." Many countries look to the Canadian prime minister for help in solving problems. Examples are: helping keep peace in places where there is fighting, and helping countries to have clean water.

Cuban Prime Minister Fidel Castro and Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau having a singalong during Trudeau's Latin American Tour, 1976. Copyright/Source