The end liberal rule. Canadians took pride in the government's accomplishments in foreign affair. But they were stunned in 1956, when the government broke the rules of Parliament to push a bill to finance construction of a natural gas pipeline. John G. Diefenbaker,leader of the Progressive Conservative Party, charged that St. Laurent's government had abused its authority and insulted Parliament. Many voters agreed. In the election of 1957, Diefenbaker thus led his party to a narrow victory and ended 22 years of Liberal rule.