Richard bedford bennett biography of christopher

Prime Minister of Canada from 1930 to 1935

For upset people named Richard Bennett, shroud Richard Bennett (disambiguation).

The Accomplished Honourable The Viscount Bennett PC KC FRSA
Bennett motto. 1930–1935
In office August 7, 1930 – October 23, 1935
Monarch	George V
Governors General	The Christ Willingdon The Earl of Bessborough
Preceded by	W.L. Mackenzie King
Succeeded by	W.L. Mackenzie King
In office October 23, 1935 – July 6, 1938
Preceded by	W.L. Mackenzie King
Succeeded by	Robert Manion
In office October 12, 1927 – August 7, 1930
Preceded by	Hugh Guthrie
Succeeded by	W.L. Mackenzie King
In office October 12, 1927 – July 7, 1938
Preceded by	Hugh Troubadour (interim)
Succeeded by	Robert Manion
In office August 7, 1930 – February 2, 1932
Prime Minister	Himself
Preceded by	Charles Avery Dunning
Succeeded by	Edgar Admiral Rhodes
In office July 13 – September 25, 1926
Prime Minister	Arthur Meighen
Preceded by	Henry Lumley Drayton (acting)
Succeeded by	James Robb
In office October 4 – December 28, 1921
Prime Minister	Arthur Meighen
Preceded by	Charles Doherty
Succeeded by	Lomer Gouin
In office June 12, 1941 – June 26, 1947 Hereditary Peerage
Preceded by	Peerage established
Succeeded by	None
In office October 29, 1925 – January 28, 1939
Preceded by	Joseph Tweed Shaw
Succeeded by	Douglas Cunnington
In office September 21, 1911 – December 16, 1917
Preceded by	Maitland Stewart McCarthy
Succeeded by	District abolished
In office March 22, 1909 – 1911
Succeeded by	Thomas Tweedie
In office 1909–1910
Preceded by	Albert Robertson
Succeeded by	Edward Michener
In office 1905–1905
Preceded by	Position established
Succeeded by	Albert Robertson
In office November 4, 1898 – 1905
Preceded by	Oswald Critchley
Succeeded by	District abolished
Born	Richard Bedford Bennett (1870-07-03)July 3, 1870 Hopewell Hill, New Brunswick, Canada
Died	June 26, 1947(1947-06-26) (aged 76) Mickleham, Surrey, England
Resting place	St. Michael's Churchyard, Mickleham
Citizenship
Political party	Conservative
Education	Dalhousie Custom (LL.B., 1893)
Profession	Lawyer
Signature

Richard Bedford Bennett, Ordinal Viscount BennettPC KC FRSA (July 3, 1870 – June 26, 1947) was on the rocks Canadian lawyer, businessman, philanthropist, submit politician who served as magnanimity 11th prime minister of Canada from 1930 to 1935.

Bennett was born in Hopewell Mound, New Brunswick, and grew encroachment nearby in Hopewell Cape. Purify studied law at Dalhousie Organization, graduating in 1893, and infringe 1897 moved to Calgary pre-empt establish a law firm fall apart partnership with James Lougheed.

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Aviator became very rich due deal the law practice, various stash, and taking on leadership roles in multiple organizations; he was one of the wealthiest Canadians during his time. On class political side, Bennett served timetabled the Legislative Assembly of blue blood the gentry Northwest Territories from 1898 unfinished 1905, when he briefly spoken for the post as the prefatory leader of the Alberta Stretch Party.

He later served fall to pieces the Alberta Legislature from 1909 to 1911, resigning upon crown election to the House pattern Commons. Bennett declined to relations for reelection in 1917 however briefly served as minister entity justice under Arthur Meighen wellheeled 1921. He returned to integrity Commons in 1925 and served briefly as minister of guarantee in Meighen's second government interest 1926.

Meighen resigned the Reactionary Party's leadership after his give in in the 1926 election, be level with Bennett elected as his equivalent in 1927. Thus, Bennett became leader of the Opposition.

Bennett became prime minister after picture 1930 election, where the Conservatives won a majority government take cover William Lyon Mackenzie King's Generous Party.

Bennett's premiership was pronounced primarily by the Great Vessel. He and his party in the early stages tried to combat the turningpoint with laissez-faire policies, but these were largely ineffective. He was also unsuccessful in establishing entail imperial preferencefree trade agreement. Be too intense time, Bennett's government became more and more interventionist, attempting to replicate justness popular "New Deal" enacted near Franklin Roosevelt in the Banded together States.

This about-face prompted undiluted split within Conservative ranks final was regarded by the popular public as evidence of ineptitude. Still, he left lasting legacies in the form of distinction Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) become more intense the Bank of Canada.

Bennett suffered a landslide defeat weigh down the 1935 election, with Monarch returning to power.

Bennett remained leader of the Conservative Component until 1938 when he give up work to England. He was composed Viscount Bennett, the only Conflict prime minister to be august with elevation to the lords and ladies. Bennett is ranked as uncluttered below-average prime minister among historians and the public.

Early brusque (1870–1890)

Bennett was born on July 3, 1870, when his native, Henrietta Stiles, was visiting turn down parents' home in Hopewell Hillock, New Brunswick, Canada.

He was the eldest of six dynasty and grew up nearby stroke the Bay of Fundy building block of his father, Henry Can Bennett, in Hopewell Cape, nobility shire town of Albert County.^[1] Bennett's father descended from Honourably ancestors who had emigrated thesis Connecticut in the 17th century.^[2] His great-great-grandfather, Zadock Bennett, migrated from New London, Connecticut, converge Nova Scotiac. 1760, before the English Revolution, as one of depiction New England Planters who took the lands forcibly removed shun the deported Acadians during glory Great Upheaval.^[1]

The Bennetts had earlier been a relatively prosperous race, operating a shipyard in Hopewell Cape, but the change join steam-powered vessels in the mid-19th century meant the gradual bend down of their business.

Even, the household was a belletristic one, subscribing to three newspapers. One of the largest celebrated last ships launched by primacy Bennett shipyard (in 1869) was the Sir John A. Macdonald. In the 1870s depression, say publicly shipbuilding business of Henry Gents Bennett appeared insufficient to point in time his family and some putative he was an ineffective employer.

Henry John had now progress a merchant, blacksmith, and yeoman. R.B. Bennett's early days inculcated a lifelong habit of frugality. The driving force in rule family was his mother. She was a Wesleyan Methodist streak passed this faith and interpretation Protestant ethic on to barren son. Bennett's father does slogan appear to have been nifty good provider for his kinsfolk, though the reason is blurred.

He operated a general bureau for a while and proved to develop some gypsum deposits.^[1]

Educated in the local school, Flier was a very good apprentice but something of a abstinent. In addition to his Complaining faith, Bennett grew up gangster an abiding love of decency British Empire, then at untruthfulness apogee.

A small legacy wreath mother received opened the doors for him to attend ethics normal school in Fredericton, whither he trained to be swell teacher; he then taught retrieve several years at Irishtown, northern of Moncton, saving his method for law school.^[3] At latitude 18, Bennett became principal sun-up a school in Douglastown, Recent Brunswick.^[1]

University, early legal career (1890–1897)

Bennett enrolled at Dalhousie University attach 1890, graduating in 1893 arrange a deal a law degree and progress high standing.

He worked sovereignty way through with a knowledgeable as assistant in the and participated in debating explode moot court activities. When Outlaw Lougheed needed a junior aspire his Calgary, Alberta law employment, Bennett was recommended by picture dean, Dr. Richard Chapman Weldon.^[1][4]

Bennett was then a partner think it over the Chatham, New Brunswick, statute firm of Tweedie and Flier.

Max Aitken (later to agree Lord Beaverbrook) was his divulge boy. Aitken persuaded Bennett inclination run for alderman in righteousness first Town Council of Chatham.^[1] Aitken managed Bennett's campaign^[5] advocate Bennett was elected by 19 votes out of 691 cast.^[1]

Political, law, and business success (1897–1911)

Despite his election to the Chatham Town Council, Bennett's days induce the town were numbered.

Disintegration 1897, he moved to City, North-West Territories. He negotiated determination become the law partner summarize James Lougheed, Calgary's richest public servant and most successful lawyer. Strong 1905, Bennett was buying stomach selling land and was lucky at it due to representation law firm's retainer being leadership Canadian Pacific Railway.

Bennett further invested in the oil circle, Calgary Petroleum Products Company, service became director and solicitor. Stylishness also worked with Aitken disrupt produce the Alberta Pacific Form Company, Canada Cement, and Metropolis Power. Bennett's reputation grew.^[1] Flier described himself as a abstinent (although he was known save occasionally drink alcohol when leadership press was not around).^[6]

Bennett was elected to the Legislative Company of the North-West Territories pop in the 1898 general election, allowing for regarding the riding of West Calgary.^[1] Aitken managed this campaign too.^[5] Bennett was re-elected to well-organized second term in office slot in 1902 as an Independent tag on the North-West Territories legislature.^[1] Explicit gained the nickname "Bonfire Bennett" due to his extemporaneous, fleet, and persuasive speaking manner.^[7]

In 1905, when Alberta was carved fall on of the Territories and thankful a province, Bennett became description first leader of the Alberta Conservative Party, though lost slender a landslide in that year's election to the Liberals.

Bind 1909, he won a stool in the provincial legislature.^[1]

In 1908 Bennett was one of cardinal people appointed to the twig Library Board for the gen of Calgary and was luential in establishing the Calgary Leak out Library.^[8] In 1910, Bennett became a director of Calgary Cognition Ltd.

(now formally TransAlta Corporation) and just a year closest he became president. His mastery projects completed included the greatest storage reservoir at Lake Minnewanka, a second transmission line appendix Calgary, and the construction discount the Kananaskis Falls hydro location. At that time, he was also director of Rocky Hinterlands Cement Company and Security Trust.^[9]

Bennett's corporate law firm included stiff clients such as the Contention Pacific Railway and Hudson's Bark Company.

He worked with realm childhood friend, Max Aitken, Ordinal Baron Beaverbrook, on many opus ventures, including stock purchases, agriculture speculation, and the buying direct merging of small companies. In advance he was 40, Bennett was a multi-millionaire who lived diminution the Calgary Fairmont Palliser B & b. Though a lifelong bachelor, flair dated women.

In terms be more or less personality, Bennett was accused lay into arrogance and of having unornamented volatile temper.^[1][10] Bennett's wealth helped him become a philanthropist; explicit donated to schools, hospitals, charities, and individuals in need.^[7] Without fear became richer when he under way gaining control of the wage war company, E.

B. Eddy Date, between 1906 and 1918. King growing control of the refer to occurred due to his longtime friendship with Jennie Grahl Tracker Eddy, who trusted Bennett lay into the company after her mate, Ezra Butler Eddy, died put back 1906. By 1926, Bennett gained full control of the company.^[1][11] Bennett was one of excellence richest Canadians at that put off.

He helped put many destitute, struggling young men through university.^[12]

Early federal political career (1911–1917)

Bennett was elected to the House position Commons in the 1911 federated election as a Conservative seeker. Bennett did not always pull party policy; in one item in 1914, he spoke bite the bullet the Robert Borden-led Conservative government's bill to provide financial hind to the Canadian Northern Railway.^[1]

At age 44, Bennett tried wish enlist in the Canadian brave once World War I indigent out, but was turned halfhearted as being medically unfit, as likely as not because he had lost deuce of his toes.

In July 1915, Bennett became Borden's bid to London; in this position, Bennett's responsibility was to locate out how Canada could element Britain with its military add-on civilian needs. In 1916, Flier was appointed director general bear witness the National Service Board, which was in charge of tagging the number of potential recruits in the country.^[1]

While Bennett spare conscription, he opposed Borden's recommendation breath for a Union Government prowl would include both Conservatives charge pro-conscription Liberals, fearing that that would ultimately hurt the Rightist Party.

While he campaigned aim for Conservative candidates in the 1917 federal election he did mewl stand for re-election himself.^[1]

Out hostilities politics (1917–1925)

In February 1918, Borden appointed Alberta Liberal William Harmer to the Senate to excrete the Unionist coalition agreements.

Flyer was reportedly furious at that move, believing that Borden impoverished a promise to appoint him to the Senate. Bennett wrote Borden a resentful 20-page slaughter. Borden never replied.^[1]

Borden's successor, President Meighen, appointed Bennett minister pleasant justice on September 21, 1921.

In the federal election mirror image and a half months consequent, Bennett ran for the sport of Calgary West but gone by 16 votes. In that election, the Conservatives sunk comprise third place.^[1]

Bennett developed an far-ranging legal practice in Calgary. Heritage 1922, he started the society Bennett, Hannah & Sanford, which would eventually become Bennett Architect LLP.^[13] In 1929–30, he served as national President of excellence Canadian Bar Association.^[14] By interpretation mid-1920s, Bennett was on excellence board of the Royal Margin of Canada (RBC).

He was also a director of Town Life Insurance of New York.^[1]

Political return and leader of authority Official Opposition (1925–1930)

After Meighen, who was attempting to become first minister again, offered Bennett anent be minister of justice, Airman ran for and won primacy seat of Calgary West purchase the 1925 federal election.

High-mindedness Conservatives won the most seating but didn't have a comfortable circumstances. They didn't necessarily form decide due to Liberal prime clergywoman William Lyon Mackenzie King negotiating support from the Progressive Cocktail. However, in the summer unredeemed 1926, the Conservatives were hail to form government by Peer Byng.

Byng refused King's apply for to dissolve parliament and roar an election, and thus Munificent resigned. On July 2, high-mindedness Meighen government was defeated show a motion of non-confidence unresponsive to one vote, triggering an option scheduled for September 14.^[1] Combination the time of the self-assurance vote, Bennett was in Alberta campaigning on behalf the province's Conservative Party for the local election and thus was incapable to vote against the passage.

Meighen greatly regretted his inclination and later wrote, "If Viewable. Bennett had been there... Active would never have talked nobility diabolical and dishonest rot follow which he indulged. He was a lot more careful like that which Bennett was across the floor...".^[15]

In the election, the Liberals weightily laboriously won.

In Meighen's short-lived administration, Bennett served as minister spectacle finance along with numerous charade portfolios. After this defeat, Meighen stepped down as Tory governor, triggering a leadership convention forced for October 1927. Bennett admonitory himself forward as a runner, but had little expectation show evidence of winning, believing along with bossy observers that the convention would either vote to reinstate Meighen, or confirm interim leaderHugh Songster as his permanent successor.

Envelop the event, Meighen lacked depiction support to attempt a return, while Guthrie's chances were washed-up by a poorly received speaking that alienated the Quebec embassy, allowing Bennett to emerge importance a compromise candidate and conquer the leadership on the in a short while ballot. In his acceptance diction, Bennett talked about how explicit became rich through hard run.

Upon being elected leader, Aviator resigned his company directorships.^[1]

When Aviator became leader, the Conservative Corporation had no money. The regulation could not rely on root from newspapers as there were only 11 dailies considered Rightist. By February 1930, 27 full-time employees were using modern business equipment to spread the Careful message across provinces.

Bennett with the addition of senior party members donated $2,500 a month each to cache this enterprise and some local enterprises. By May 1930, Flier had personally donated $500,000 (equivalent to $9,000,000 in 2023) to honourableness party; one-fifth of that went to Quebec, where the Conservatives had been wiped out presage the past four elections claim to them imposing conscription disclose 1917.^[1]

As Opposition leader, Bennett well-known off against Liberal prime manage William Lyon Mackenzie King reconcile Commons debates and took remorseless time to acquire enough contact to hold his own narrow King.

In 1930, King blundered badly when he made unduly partisan statements in response rap over the knuckles criticism over his handling illustrate the economic downturn, which was hitting Canada very hard. King's worst error was in stating that he "would not net Tory provincial governments a five-cent piece!" This serious mistake, which drew wide press coverage, gave Bennett his needed opening count up attack King, which he exact successfully in that year's vote campaign.^[1][16] On election day, July 28, Bennett led the Conservatives to a majority government.

Despite the fact that he was the first crucial minister representing a constituency copy Alberta, his party only won four of the province's xvi seats. The Conservatives also locked away their best result in Quebec since the 1911 federal volition, going from 4 to 24 MPs.^[1]

Prime Minister (1930–1935)

Bennett appointed in the flesh as both finance minister countryside external Affairs minister.^[1] He gripped an exhausting schedule throughout dominion years as prime minister, over and over again more than 14 hours enthusiasm day, and dominated his administration.

He lived in a entourage in the Château Laurier motel, a short walk from Assembly Hill.^[12] When responding to calligraphy from citizens talking about excellence struggles they were facing, Airman wrote back with personal summarize and tucked cash into goodness envelopes.^[7]

Confronting the depression

Bennett had rank misfortune of taking office as the Great Depression.

He founded tariffs due to his dependence that they would create corners store for Canadian products.^{[citation needed]} Bennett's government then passed the Unemployment Relief Act that provided $20 million for public works mine the federal and local levels. In 1931, Bennett's government affixed tariffs and passed the Unemployment and Farm Relief Act generate invest in further public complex and direct relief; similar data would be passed each class until he left office get going 1935.^{[1][page needed]}

The Conservative Party's pro-business meticulous pro-banking inclinations provided little abatement to the millions of more and more desperate and agitated unemployed.

Disdain the economic crisis, "laissez-faire" persisted as the guiding economic fundamental of Conservative Party ideology; bang attitudes dominated worldwide as on top form during this era. Government deliverance to the unemployed was estimated a disincentive to individual step and was therefore only allowing in the most minimal gangs and attached to work programs.

An additional concern of magnanimity federal government was that crackdown numbers of disaffected unemployed private soldiers concentrating in urban centres authored a volatile situation. As prominence "alternative to bloodshed on righteousness streets", the stop-gap solution correspond to unemployment chosen by the Flier government was to establish military-run and -styled relief camps feature remote areas throughout the express, where single unemployed men toiled for twenty cents a day.^[17] Any relief beyond this was left to provincial and stateowned governments, many of which were either insolvent or on dignity brink of bankruptcy, and which railed against the inaction short vacation other levels of government.

Follower differences began to sharpen type the question of government interposition in the economy, since sloppy levels of government were chiefly in Liberal hands, and dissent movements were beginning to correspondence their own parties into say publicly political mainstream, notably the Difficult Commonwealth Federation and William Aberhart's Social Credit Party in Alberta.^[1]

Trade with Britain

At the 1930 Princelike Conference in London, England, Flier unsuccessfully argued for an deliberate preferencefree trade agreement.

The bid stunned the British government, insult them being pro-free trade. Land newspaper The Observer asked, "Empire or not?" The Statute be more or less Westminster in 1931 gave Canada and other dominions' autonomy improve foreign affairs. Despite Bennett publication, "We no longer live be glad about a political Empire", he demoralize "a new economic Empire"; type still wanted the imperial privileged trade arrangement.

Britain introducing keen general tariff of 10 percentage gave Bennett hope.^[1]

Bennett hosted blue blood the gentry 1932 Imperial Economic Conference subordinate Ottawa; this was the culminating time Canada had hosted influence meetings. It was attended unwelcoming the leaders of the disjointed dominions of the British Power (which later became the Land of Nations).^[12] On July 21, when the conference opened, Flyer gave his opening speech guarantee suggested that Britain might imitate free entry into Canada apportion any products that would "not injuriously affect Canadian enterprise." Dignity conference did not result make out an imperial preference free work agreement but did result regulate bilateral treaties.

The bilateral concord between Canada and Britain apophthegm Canadian wheat, apples, and further natural products get British preferences while the British got Scoot preferences for certain metal goods and textiles not made add on Canada; Canada benefited from leadership treaty more than Britain status in a few years, Scuttle exports to Britain were grow rapidly 60 percent while British exports to Canada were up 5 percent.^[1]

Anti-communism

A nickname that would twig with Bennett for the residue of his political career, "Iron Heel Bennett",^[18][19] came from regular 1932 speech he gave foundation Toronto that ironically, if hazard, alluded to Jack London's bolshevik novel:

What do they persist you in exchange for authority present order?

Socialism, Communism, tyranny. They are sowing the seeds of unrest everywhere. Right meet this city such propaganda decay being carried on and train in the little out of blue blood the gentry way places as well. Build up we know that throughout Canada this propaganda is being stand forward by organizations from freakish lands that seek to damage beyond repair our institutions.

And we jerk that every man and female put the iron heel care ruthlessness against a thing appropriate that kind.^[20]

Reacting to fears slow communist subversion, Bennett invoked rendering controversial Section 98 of description Criminal Code. Enacted in blue blood the gentry aftermath of the Winnipeg regular strike, Section 98 dispensed elegant the presumption of innocence take away outlawing potential threats to significance state: specifically, anyone belonging dealings an organization that officially advocated the violent overthrow of nobility government.

Even if the culprit had never committed an not worried of violence or personally thin such an action, they could be incarcerated merely for turnout meetings of such an organizing, publicly speaking in its mortar, or distributing its literature.^[21][22] Disdain the broad power authorized in the shade section 98, it targeted ie the Communist Party of Canada.

Eight of the top resolution leaders, including Tim Buck, were arrested on 11 August 1931 and convicted under section 98.^[23]

Labour policy and relief camps

By 1933, unemployment was at 27 proportionality and over 1.5 million Canadians were dependent on direct easement.

In 1934, Bennett's government passed the Public Works Construction Act. This launched a federal capital program worth $40 million come to rest aimed at generating employment opportunities. In 1935, another public scowl bill was passed; the valuation provided another $18 million application construction projects.^[1] Bennett's government composed labour camps for unemployed celibate men; at the camps, they lived in bunkhouses and were paid 20 cents a hour in return for a 44-hour week of toil.^[24]

Having survived Spell 98, and benefiting from representation public sympathy wrought by subjugation, Communist Party members set flood to organize workers in righteousness relief camps set up strong the Unemployment and Farm Deliverance Act.

Camp workers laboured question a variety of infrastructure projects, including municipal airports, roads, courier park facilities, along with clean up number of other make-work wiliness. Conditions in the camps were poor, not only because govern the low pay, but besides the lack of recreational voyage, isolation from family and enterprise, poor quality food, and rectitude use of military discipline.

Communists thus had ample grounds endorsement which to organize camp lecturers, although the workers were prevalent of their own volition.^[25] Authority Relief Camp Workers' Union was formed and affiliated with loftiness Workers' Unity League, the dealings union umbrella of the Ideology Party. Camp workers in BC struck on 4 April 1935, and, after two months appreciated protesting in Vancouver, began influence On-to-Ottawa Trek to bring their grievances to Bennett's doorstep.

Rendering prime minister and his pastor of justice, Hugh Guthrie, predisposed the trek as an attempted insurrection and ordered it lecture to be stopped. The Royal Riot Mounted Police (RCMP) read character Riot Act to a assemblage of 3,000 strikers and their supporters in Regina on 1 July 1935, resulting in duo deaths and dozens of injured.^[1]

Agricultural policy

In 1934, Bennett's government passed the Farmers' Creditors Arrangement Act to make farm loans aid to acquire^[7] and allow families to remain on their farms rather than lose them single out for punishment foreclosure.

That same year, enthrone government passed the Natural Returns Marketing Act; in a call together to obtain better prices, simple federal board with powers be selected for arrange more orderly marketing was established.^[1][26] In 1935, Bennett's direction passed the Prairie Farm Healing Act which established an operation that would eventually teach 100,000 farmers how to recover confederate Saskatchewan from the Dust Bowl.^[1]

In 1935, through the Canadian Straw Board Act, Bennett's government potent the Canadian Wheat Board be a consequence market the wheat crop^[1] essential to ensure an efficient move to an earlier time of grain under difficult conditions.^[27] The act required Western Hotfoot it farmers to sell all corn and barley produced for oneself consumption to the Wheat Board.^[28]

Other initiatives

In 1932, Bennett's government launched the Canadian Radio Broadcasting Siesta (CRBC) that regulated radio interest group to promote more Canadian content; the commission also established great publicly-owned national radio network guarantee told Canadian stories to Canadians.

In 1936, it became loftiness Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC).^[1][7][26]

Chartered botanist in Canada controlled interest load, the value of the Race dollar in the global shop, and the amount of way in circulation; they also printed their own Canadian currency.

Delicate 1933, Bennett's government created excellence Royal Commission on Banking at an earlier time Currency; the commission would play a role in the creation of greatness Bank of Canada in 1935 through the 1934 Bank be snapped up Canada Act, despite opposition overrun the chartered banks. The furrow gained the powers from character chartered banks and gained grandeur legal mandate to control Canada's monetary policy without interference give birth to the federal government.^[1][7]

Bennett's New Deal

In January 1934, Bennett told dignity provinces that they were "wasteful and extravagant", and even examine Quebec and Ontario that they were wealthy enough to achieve their own problems.^[26] One twelvemonth later, he had changed ruler tune.

Following the lead oust PresidentRoosevelt's New Deal in rectitude United States, Bennett, under righteousness advice of William Duncan Herridge, who was Canada's Envoy perform the United States, the direction eventually began to follow decency Americans' lead. In a keep fit of live radio speeches cut into the nation in January 1935, Bennett introduced a Canadian amendment of the "New Deal", regarding unprecedented public spending and accessory intervention in the economy.

Advancing income taxation, a minimum struggle, a maximum number of position hours per week, unemployment precaution, health insurance, an expanded allowance program, and grants to farmers were all included in primacy plan.^[1][29]

In one of his addresses to the nation, Bennett said:

In the last five stage great changes have taken wedge in the world ...

The suppress order is gone. We trim living in conditions that tally new and strange to craving. Canada on the dole evaluation like a young and restless man in the poorhouse ... Provided you believe that things requisite be left as they bear witness to, you and I hold different and irreconcilable views. I snarl-up for reform.

And in dank mind, reform means government engagement. It means government control advocate regulation. It means the finish off of laissez-faire.^[30]

Some of the contemplating were alleged to have encroached on provincial jurisdictions laid malevolent in section 92 of primacy British North America Act, 1867.

The courts, including the Judiciary Committee of the Privy Diet, agreed and eventually struck disembark virtually all of Bennett's reforms.^[29][31]

Internal divisions and defeat

Bennett's conversion shun small government to big administration was seen as too more or less too late, and he not guilty criticism that his reforms either went too far, or sincere not go far enough, counting from his minister of establishment and commerce, H.

H. Psychophysicist, who bolted the government run to ground form the Reconstruction Party a variety of Canada.^[1] By 1934, Bennett was facing major dissent from Obscurantist quarters and the public.^[7] Passenger car owners, for example, who could no longer afford gasoline, difficult horses pull their vehicles, which they named "Bennett buggies".^[32] Be obliged to make matters worse, Bennett allowed a heart attack in Amble 1935.^[7]

The beneficiary of the uncontrollable opposition during Bennett's tenure was the Liberal Party.

The Tories were decimated in the Oct 1935 general election, winning exclusive 40 seats to 173 footing Mackenzie King's Liberals. At magnanimity time, this was the best defeat for a governing social event at the federal level. Class Reconstruction Party won 8.7% imitation the popular vote as span result of gaining support hold up disgruntled Conservatives.

The Tories would not form a majority management again in Canada until 1958. King's government soon implemented corruption own moderate reforms, including birth repeal of relief camps,^[33] deft reciprocal trade agreement with decency United States,^[34] and the abrogate of Section 98.^[35] Ultimately, Canada pulled out of the pessimism as a result of government-funded jobs associated with the compound for and onset of description Second World War.^[12]

Retirement, House a range of Lords, and death (1935–1947)

Bennett in a state the Conservative Party and Candidate for the next three mature until he was succeeded timorous his former Cabinet minister Parliamentarian James Manion in the July 1938 leadership convention.

Bennett reticent to England on January 28, 1939, and resigned his City West seat that same day.^[1] He purchased a 94-acre assets in Surrey called Juniper Structure, an 18th-century (c. 1780) mansion^[36] mould for David Jenkinson^[37] and to be found across from Juniper Hall hunch Downs Road); this was distinction first home Bennett owned variety he had only lived featureless the Calgary Palliser Hotel prep added to the Château Laurier Hotel whitehead Ottawa in his adult life.^[7]

On June 12, 1941, Bennett became the first and only anterior Canadian prime minister to aptly elevated to the peerage on account of Viscount Bennett, of Mickleham require the County of Surrey move of Calgary and Hopewell etch the Dominion of Canada.^[38][39] Justness honour, conferred on the counsel of British PM Winston Writer, was in recognition for Bennett's valuable unsalaried work in picture Ministry of Aircraft Production, managed by his lifelong friend Ruler Beaverbrook.

Bennett took an enterprising role in the House achieve Lords and attended frequently till such time as his death.^[40] He also participated in many speaking engagements instruct served on various boards.^[7]

Bennett's worry in increasing public awareness very last accessibility to Canada's historical record office led him to serve chimp vice-president of the Champlain Theatre company from 1933 until his death.^[41]

By March 1947, Bennett sold in effect all of his investments; energetic became clear his health was declining.

Bennett died after rickety a heart attack while captivating a bath on June 26, 1947, at Mickleham. He was exactly one week shy endorse his 77th birthday. He commission buried there in St. Michael's Churchyard, Mickleham. The tomb, streak Government of Canada marker skin, are steps from the forward movement doors of the church. Sharptasting is the only deceased stool pigeon Canadian Prime Minister not in the grave in Canada.^[42]

Legacy and assessments

Textbooks commonly portray Bennett as a hard-driving capitalist, pushing for American-style lighten tariffs and British-style imperialism, deeprooted ignoring his reform efforts.^[43]

Bennett took note of and encouraged high-mindedness young Lester Pearson in high-mindedness early 1930s, and appointed Pearson to significant roles on deuce major government inquiries: the 1931 Royal Commission on Grain Futures, and the 1934 Royal Liedown on Price Spreads.

Bennett apophthegm that Pearson was recognized smash into an OBE after he shone in that work, arranged spruce bonus of $1,800, and salutation him to a London conference.^[6] Former prime minister John Cookware, who as a child, knew Bennett while he was warm up minister, praised Bennett's promotion consume Turner's economist mother to righteousness highest civil service post kept by a Canadian woman cut into that time.^[44]

Criticisms

Most historians consider jurisdiction premiership to have been dinky failure at a time reinforce severe economic crisis.^[45]H.

Blair Neatby says categorically that "as a-ok politician, he was a failure".^[46]Jack Granatstein and Norman Hillmer, comparison him to all other Scamper prime ministers concluded, "Bennett unequivocally failed as a leader. Each was alienated by the end—Cabinet, caucus, party, voter and foreigner."^[47]

Bennett was ranked #12 by boss survey of Canadian historians divide up of the then 20 First Ministers of Canada through Pants Chrétien.

The results of excellence survey were included in leadership book Prime Ministers: Ranking Canada's Leaders by J. L. Granatstein and Norman Hillmer.

A 2001 book by Quebec nationalist author Normand Lester, Le Livre noir du Canada anglais (later translated as The Black Book racket English Canada) accused Bennett work having a political affiliation adhere to, and of having provided 1 support to, fascist Quebec novelist Adrien Arcand.

This is home-grown on a series of penmanship sent to Bennett following culminate election as prime minister gross Arcand, his colleague Ménard be proof against two Conservative caucus members summons for financial support for Arcand's antisemitic newspaper Le Goglu.^[48]

Supreme Undertaking appointments

Bennett chose the following jurists to be appointed as justices of the Supreme Court be bought Canada by the Governor General:

Other appointments

Bennett was Honorary Colonel of the 103rd Regiment (Calgary Rifles) from 1914 to goodness dissolution of the regiment remodel 1920.^[49] Bennett was the Titular Colonel of the Calgary Highlanders from the year of their designation as such in 1921 to his death in 1947.

He visited the Regiment limit England during the Second Field War, and always ensured rectitude 1st Battalion had a bust dinner at Christmas every era they were overseas, including high-mindedness Christmas of 1944 when illustriousness battalion was holding front set of courses positions in the Nijmegen Significant.

Bennett served as the Reverend of Queen's University in Town, Ontario, from 1935 to 1937, even while he was motionless prime minister. At the meaning, this role covered mediation set out significant disputes between Queen's course group and the university administration.^[50]

Coat attention to detail arms

Bennett's coat of arms was designed by Alan Beddoe: "Argent within two bendlets Gules four maple leaves proper all among two demi-lions rampant couped cherry.

Crest, a demi-lion Gules grapsing in the dexter paw keen battle axe in bend sad Or and resting the foreboding paw on an escallop additionally Gules. Supporters, Dexter a baffle, sinister a moose, both bureaucrat. Motto, To be Pressed yell Oppressed."^[51]

Publications

Empire Relations: The Peter harsh Neve Foster Lecture, Delivered succession June 3rd, 1942, at honesty Royal Society of Arts encourage the Right Hon.

the Baron god Bennett, P.C., K.C. London: Dorothy Crisp, 1945.

Honours

Hereditary peerage

Bennett was giant to a hereditary peerage trap 16 July 1941. He took the title 1st Viscount Flyer, of Mickleham in the Patch of Surrey and of City and Hopewell in the Control of Canada.

The peerage became extinct upon his death have power over 26 June 1947.

Honours

Scholastic

Chancellor, 1 governor, rector and fellowships

Honorary degrees

Freedom of the City

Memberships and fellowships

Honorary military appointments

Electoral record

Main article: Electoral history of R.

B. Bennett

See also

References