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In
four parliaments as MP for Leeds Riding, from 1961 to 1968,
he chaired the then Standing committee on External Affairs,
and served as Prime Minister L.B. Pearson’s Parliamentary
Secretary, and as a member of the Special Defence
Committee. He was particularly interested in defence and
intelligence. He was sent as an observer to the United
Nations in 1961, and later on several missions to Europe and
Asia on behalf of the Prime Minister. During this period
Prime Minister Pearson assigned him the task of being
responsible for Canadian symbolism. John Matheson worked
very hard with others to develop both the Maple Leaf flag
and the Order of Canada.
In 1972 in Ottawa Judge Matheson was invited to rejoin the
militia and serve in honorary capacities and to participate
in many Conferences of defence Associations. He was awarded
the Canadian Forces Decoration in 1977 and was retired from
30th Field Regiment of The Royal Regiment of Canadian
Artillery in 1982 with the rank of Colonel. A life member
of the Royal Canadian Artillery Association, the Royal
Canadian Horse Artillery Brigade Association, the Royal
Military College Club of Canada, the United Services
Institute and the Royal Canadian Legion, and member of the
Canadian Intelligence and Security Association and the
Canadian Institute of Strategic Studies, he continues to be
active as a public speaker. |
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