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what's in a name?

Illustration by Anthony JenkinsAnthony Jenkins/The Globe and Mail

The Conservative government has decided to rename an Ottawa building that is home to many conferences and hearings after one of its own icons – John Diefenbaker.

This follows the naming earlier this year of a human rights award after Mr. Diefenbaker, Canada's 13th prime minister, and the naming of a Diefenbaker icebreaker in 2008.

Former prime minister Brian Mulroney also created a John Diefenbaker Award, a grant to a German scholar to work in Canada.

On Monday, Public Works Minister Rona Ambrose and Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird held a ceremony at the former Ottawa city hall building, just west of the Prime Minister's residence on Sussex Drive, to announce that it would be renamed the John G. Diefenbaker Building.

"The naming of this building in honour of Prime Minister John George Diefenbaker recognizes his influence on Canadian history," Ms. Ambrose said in a news release. "This iconic leader was chosen for his many contributions in shaping our country, such as extending the Bill of Rights to allow Native people to vote and appointing the first woman to federal cabinet.

The two cabinet ministers unveiled a plaque and portrait that will adorn the building.

"Prime Minister Diefenbaker's passion and dedication to all Canadians has helped make this country a nation we can all be very proud of," Mr. Baird said. "Yesterday would have marked his 116th birthday, and this honour is a very fitting tribute to his legacy."

Mr. Harper's Conservatives came to Ottawa determined to build Tory symbols in a national scene they see as dominated by Liberals. But they have had few icons to draw on for names.

The Liberals have held office for many of the past 60 years. Former Conservative prime minister Joe Clark has been a critic of the Harper government and Mr. Mulroney has had his own issues. So Mr. Diefenbaker, who was prime minister from June 21, 1957, to April 21, 1963, has been the one to get the nod when a Tory legacy is honoured.

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