Dawson and the CAHA perceived the situation to be a double standard since the Europeans were believed to be state-sponsored professionals labelled as amateurs, and withdrew the Canada men's national ice hockey team from international competitions until it was allowed to use its best players.

He was extensively involved in community service groups, was a town councilor from 1957 to 1965, and represented the Hamiota electoral district as a Manitoba Liberal Party member from 1966 to 1969.

Dawson wanted to use the 1967 Pan American Games and the Canadian Centennial events to boost recreation in Manitoba and improve local infrastructure.

[16] Without a suitable agreement in place to receive a portion of playoffs profits, the MAHA made a proposal at the 1960 Canadian Amateur Hockey Association (CAHA) general meeting for Flin Flon to be transferred to the SAHA.

The MAHA reached an agreement with the SAHA and Dawson served an ultimatum to the Flin Flon Bombers to pay a flat rate of C$300 or be denied permission to play in the SJHL.

[24] He also wanted to see updates to the MAHA constitution to deal with modern problems, and set up a committee to oversee issues specific to hockey in rural Manitoba.

[26] The MJHL hired a new promotional director and requested to use international ice hockey rules without body checking to begin the 1961–62 season as an effort to attract more spectators.

[32] During his presidency, the MAHA had grown to be the country's third largest provincial association by registration and spent more per capita to develop minor ice hockey than other provinces in Canada.

He advocated for the Brandon Wheat Kings to remain in the MJHL amid negotiations for top-level junior teams to leave their provincial associations and join the new league.

In December 1968, John Munro, the Minister of Health and Welfare, stated a federal task force was looking into establishing such a corporation, and Dawson felt that the government was taking credit for something which the CAHA had proposed.

Frustrations grew when they arrived late for the first scheduled game on the tour which negated profits for the CAHA, and Dawson was reported as wanting to see discipline handed out by the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) against the Soviets.

[58][59] Dawson and the CAHA were also opposed to potential expansion into Canada by the American Hockey League, and asked NHL president Clarence Campbell to follow-up on press reports of rumoured farm teams in Montreal, Ottawa and Kingston.

[60] Junior teams in Western Canada claimed that the lower age limit decreased its talent pool and negatively affect ticket sales.

He hoped to convince Europeans that they were competing against second-rate amateur talent from the United States and Canada, and that an open competition would be truly representative of the world's best hockey.

[70] The IIHF approved a CAHA proposal to extend the deadline to reinstate professionals as amateurs and be eligible for the World Championships, which had the potential to allow Canada access more talented players.

[73] Dawson attended the meeting and argued that national teams participating in Izvestia Trophy tournaments had played against professionals, but were still eligible for the Olympics and the same should apply to the World Championships.

[80] He also made the suggestion to consider the 1970 event an invitational tournament instead of a World Championships to avoid the wrath of the IOC, but the IIHF declined the notion.

[81] Canada perceived the situation to be a double standard in international hockey since players on European national teams were believed to be state-sponsored professionals labelled as amateurs.

[84] Cabinet minister John Munro defended the decision to withdraw and stated that the Canadian Government agreed to underwrite the losses incurred by the CAHA due to refunds in excess of $400,000 in advance ticket sales.

Dawson wanted to avoid compromising the 1976 Winter Olympics bid by Vancouver, but felt that it would be impossible for a Canadian hockey player not to have played against a professional at one time.

[90] The WCHL took legal action seeking payments for players chosen in the NHL Amateur Draft, after Dawson stated that no money would be paid by the CAHA to teams not under its jurisdiction.

[99] Dawson recommended that Canada remain out of international competition until professionals became eligible for the World Championships, and that what he referred to "state-sponsored amateurs" were not allowed in the Olympic Games.

[101] He attended the 1971 Ice Hockey World Championships and met with the Soviets, Swedes and IIHF executives in an effort to host an international tournament using professionals.

[102][103] He was committed to a best-on-best tournament and opposed a recommendation by Alberta Golden Bears coach Clare Drake to have a university all-star team represent Canada internationally.

[104] The CAHA considered a proposal to restructure the playoffs for the Allan Cup from an east versus west final into a tournament format based in one city among the country's regional champions.

[116] Dawson summarized his time as president in an interview with the Winnipeg Free Press by stating, "I just seem to be the kind of person who gets involved in controversy, be it in hockey or politics".

[119][120] Coaches of the three league champions were opposed to the new format, and felt that a short series put extra pressure on players and lacked the environment of a home game during the playoffs.

[130] Dawson wanted to use the 1967 events to boost recreation in Manitoba, and proposed legislation for low-interest loans to communities for installation of artificial ice in hockey and curling rinks.

[153] The Winnipeg office was reopened in March 1978, and Dawson was assigned to oversee programs in Manitoba and Saskatchewan while remaining a senior consultant to Ottawa.

Pawley stated that, "Dawson served his constituents' interests well, through tireless hours of work on behalf of groups and individuals who sought his assistance and received it in an unstinting way".