the Cabinet of John Diefenbaker as Minister of Northern Affairs and National Resources from 1960 to 1963. He was also acting Minister of Mines and Technical Surveys for a few months in 1961. In 1963, while serving as Minister of Northern Affairs and National Resources he chaired the "Resources for Tomorrow" conference, which led to the establishment of a Department of the Environment. Dinsdale worked tirelessly for many causes, including First Nations, international human rights, immigrant Canadians and most notably disabled persons. He was vice-chair of the Special Committee on the Disabled, whose work led to many improvements in services for disabled Canadians, and worked with many international governments and organizations to improve the lives of the disabled everywhere, and in 1981 was Canada's delegate to the United Nations for the International Year of Disabled Persons. Honours The Walter Dinsdale Award, which recognizes outstanding achievement in developing technologies that improve the lives of the disabled, is named in his honour. Dinsdale was awarded a Doctor of Laws degree by Brandon University and a Doctor of Humanities degree from Richmond College in Toronto for his works with disabled people. Death He died from kidney failure in 1982, after suffering a stroke about two months before his death. He is buried in Brandon. Following his death, he was eulogized in the House of Commons of Canada, following which the house was adjourned for the day in tribute. Family Walter married Lenore Gusdal, and had 5 children: Gunnar, Greg, Elizabeth, Eric and Rolf. His son Rolf ran as a Liberal Party of Canada candidate in a federal by-election in Brandon—Souris in 2013, losing narrowly to Larry Maguire. Electoral record Note: This list is incomplete. Archives There is a Walter Gilbert Dinsdale fonds at Library and Archives Canada. References External links 1916 births 1982 deaths Brandon University alumni McMaster University alumni Members of the House of Commons of Canada from Manitoba Members of the King's Privy Council for Canada Politicians from Brandon, Manitoba Progressive Conservative Party of Canada MPs University of Toronto alumni