Allan MacEachen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Allan MacEachen
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MacEachen shortly after first being elected to the House of Commons
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| 1st Deputy Prime Minister of Canada | |
| In office March 3, 1980 – June 29, 1984 |
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| Prime Minister | Pierre Trudeau |
| Preceded by | himself (1979) |
| Succeeded by | Jean Chrétien |
| In office September 16, 1977 – June 4, 1979 |
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| Prime Minister | Pierre Trudeau |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | himself (1980) |
| Secretary of State for External Affairs | |
| In office September 10, 1982 – June 29, 1984 |
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| Prime Minister | Pierre Trudeau |
| Preceded by | Mark MacGuigan |
| Succeeded by | Jean Chrétien |
| In office August 8, 1974 – September 13, 1976 |
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| Prime Minister | Pierre Trudeau |
| Preceded by | Mitchell Sharp |
| Succeeded by | Donald Jamieson |
| Minister of Finance | |
| In office March 3, 1980 – September 9, 1982 |
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| Prime Minister | Pierre Trudeau |
| Preceded by | John Crosbie |
| Succeeded by | Marc Lalonde |
| Minister of Labour | |
| In office April 22, 1963 – December 18, 1965 |
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| Prime Minister | Lester B. Pearson |
| Preceded by | Michael Starr |
| Succeeded by | John Robert Nicholson |
| Member of Parliament for Cape Breton Highlands—Canso (Inverness—Richmond; 1953–1968) |
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| In office June 18, 1962 – June 28, 1984 |
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| Preceded by | Robert MacLellan |
| Succeeded by | Lawrence O'Neil |
| In office August 10, 1953 – March 30, 1958 |
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| Preceded by | William F. Carroll |
| Succeeded by | Robert MacLellan |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Allan Joseph MacEachen
July 6, 1921 Inverness, Nova Scotia, Canada |
| Died | September 12, 2017 (aged 96) Antigonish, Nova Scotia, Canada |
| Political party | Liberal |
| Profession |
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Allan Joseph MacEachen (July 6, 1921 – September 12, 2017) was an important Canadian politician. He served as a senator and held many different jobs in the Canadian government. He was the first ever Deputy Prime Minister of Canada. This important role helps the Prime Minister lead the country.
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Early Life and Learning
Allan MacEachen was born in Inverness, a town on Nova Scotia's Cape Breton Island. His father, Angus MacEachen, was a coal miner. His mother, Annie Gillies, and father both spoke Scottish Gaelic at home. Allan also learned to speak it very well.
He went to St. Francis Xavier University. After graduating, he taught economics there for several years. Economics is the study of how money and resources are used.
Starting in Politics
Allan MacEachen first became a Member of Parliament in 1953. He was elected as a Liberal under Prime Minister Louis St-Laurent. He was re-elected in 1957.
However, he lost his seat in the 1958 election. This election was a huge win for the Progressive Conservatives. But Allan MacEachen was re-elected to Parliament in 1962. He continued to win elections in 1963, 1965, 1968, 1972, 1974, 1979, and 1980.
Serving as a Cabinet Minister
In 1963, Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson chose Allan MacEachen to join his Cabinet. A Cabinet is a group of top advisors to the Prime Minister. They lead different government departments. This was the start of a long career for MacEachen in the Cabinet.
He worked under Prime Ministers Pearson, Pierre Trudeau, and John Turner. Over the years, he held many important jobs, including:
- Minister of Labour (dealing with jobs and workers' rights)
- Minister of National Health and Welfare (looking after health and social programs)
- Minister of Manpower and Immigration (managing jobs and people coming to Canada)
- Secretary of State for External Affairs (Canada's main diplomat, dealing with other countries)
- Minister of Finance (managing the country's money and budget)
Allan MacEachen also served as the Government House Leader. This role helps manage the government's business in Parliament. In 1977, he became the first ever Deputy Prime Minister of Canada under Prime Minister Trudeau. He held this role whenever Trudeau was in power.
Pierre Trudeau wrote in his book that MacEachen was very smart in politics. He said MacEachen always gave good advice. Trudeau respected him because he was honest and said what he truly thought.
In 1979, the Liberals lost the election. Trudeau announced he would retire. Allan MacEachen then became the temporary Leader of the Opposition. This is the leader of the main party not in power. Trudeau soon returned to politics, and the Liberals won the 1980 election.
MacEachen then became the Minister of Finance. He introduced the National Energy Policy. He also brought in a "six and five" wage limit in 1982. This meant that wage increases were limited to 6% and 5% for two years. This happened when prices were rising quickly.
Working in the Senate
After leaving the House of Commons, Allan MacEachen was appointed to the Senate. The Senate is another part of Canada's Parliament. Senators review laws passed by the House of Commons. He became the Leader of the Government in the Senate.
Later, from 1984 to 1991, he was the leader of the opposition in the Senate. He was a strong voice against the government of Prime Minister Brian Mulroney. In 1988, he used the Senate to delay a trade agreement with the United States. This helped force an election so Canadians could vote on the issue.
He also used the Senate to try and block the new Goods and Services Tax (GST). Senators used tactics like a filibuster to delay the vote. A filibuster is when people make long speeches to stop a vote from happening. Eventually, the tax was passed.
Allan MacEachen retired from the Senate in 1996 when he turned 75.
Later Life and Legacy
After leaving politics, Allan MacEachen lived in Nova Scotia. He passed away on September 12, 2017, at the age of 96.
He received many honours for his service to Canada. In 2008, he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada. This is one of Canada's highest honours.
Several places and programs are named after him:
- St. Francis Xavier University holds an annual lecture in his honour.
- The Allan J. MacEachen International Academic and Cultural Centre opened in Mabou, Nova Scotia, in 2000. It includes a school and a performing arts centre.
- Dalhousie University has the MacEachen Institute for Public Policy and Governance.
- In 2021, the street where he grew up in Inverness, Nova Scotia, was renamed Allan J. Memorial Avenue. This happened on his 100th birthday.
