Today in Canada’s Political History: John Diefenbaker appoints first-ever Ukrainian-Canadian Senator

Prime Minster Diefenbaker made history on this date in 1959 by appointing John Hnatyshyn to the Senate of Canada. He was Canada’s first Ukrainian-Canadian member of the Red Chamber. A Saskatoon lawyer, Hnatyshyn ran for the Tories in his home province in the 1935, 1940 and 1945 federal elections, but was defeated each time. The future Senator also sought a seat in the Saskatchewan Legislature, but was unsuccessful there as well. Senator Hnatyshyn was the father of Ray Hnatyshyn, Canada’s 24th Governor General.