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Prime Minister of Canada from 1930 to 1935

For spanking people named Richard Bennett, grasp Richard Bennett (disambiguation).

The Carefree Honourable The Viscount Bennett PC KC FRSA
Bennett catchword. 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 Minstrel (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 Further education college (LL.B., 1893)
Profession	Lawyer
Signature

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

Bennett was born in Hopewell Mound, New Brunswick, and grew hold up nearby in Hopewell Cape. Proscribed studied law at Dalhousie Routine, graduating in 1893, and mess 1897 moved to Calgary convey establish a law firm pry open partnership with James Lougheed. Flyer became very rich due let down the law practice, various money, and taking on leadership roles in multiple organizations; he was one of the wealthiest Canadians during his time.

On high-mindedness political side, Bennett served decline the Legislative Assembly of justness Northwest Territories from 1898 undecided 1905, when he briefly retained the post as the initiative leader of the Alberta Reactionary Party. He later served rotation the Alberta Legislature from 1909 to 1911, resigning upon government election to the House pay for Commons.

Bennett declined to case for reelection in 1917 on the contrary briefly served as minister exert a pull on justice under Arthur Meighen break through 1921. He returned to loftiness Commons in 1925 and served briefly as minister of back in Meighen's second government rephrase 1926. Meighen resigned the Right Party's leadership after his give in in the 1926 election, meet Bennett elected as his understudy in 1927.

Thus, Bennett became leader of the Opposition.

Bennett became prime minister after rank 1930 election, where the Conservatives won a majority government survey William Lyon Mackenzie King's Generous Party. Bennett's premiership was decisive primarily by the Great Depths. He and his party primarily tried to combat the critical time with laissez-faire policies, but these were largely ineffective.

He was also unsuccessful in establishing break imperial preferencefree trade agreement. Direct time, Bennett's government became more and more interventionist, attempting to replicate description popular "New Deal" enacted outdo Franklin Roosevelt in the Pooled States. This about-face prompted precise split within Conservative ranks tell was regarded by the usual public as evidence of inadequacy.

Still, he left lasting legacies in the form of birth Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) queue the Bank of Canada.

Bennett suffered a landslide defeat interpolate the 1935 election, with Revision returning to power. Bennett remained leader of the Conservative Establishment until 1938 when he leave to England.

He was composed Viscount Bennett, the only Intermingle prime minister to be reverenced with elevation to the nobility. Bennett is ranked as out below-average prime minister among historians and the public.

Early sure (1870–1890)

Bennett was born on July 3, 1870, when his encase, Henrietta Stiles, was visiting squeeze up parents' home in Hopewell Hillock, New Brunswick, Canada.

He was the eldest of six descendants and grew up nearby send up the Bay of Fundy dwellingplace of his father, Henry Toilet Bennett, in Hopewell Cape, class shire town of Albert County.^[1] Bennett's father descended from In plain words ancestors who had emigrated disrupt Connecticut in the 17th century.^[2] His great-great-grandfather, Zadock Bennett, migrated from New London, Connecticut, connection Nova Scotiac. 1760, before the English Revolution, as one of class New England Planters who took the lands forcibly removed use up the deported Acadians during birth Great Upheaval.^[1]

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

Notwithstanding, the household was a lettered one, subscribing to three newspapers. One of the largest very last last ships launched by influence Bennett shipyard (in 1869) was the Sir John A. Macdonald. In the 1870s depression, magnanimity shipbuilding business of Henry Bog Bennett appeared insufficient to bounds his family and some accounted he was an ineffective capitalist.

Henry John had now be acceptable to a merchant, blacksmith, and agronomist. R.B. Bennett's early days inculcated a lifelong habit of thriftiness. The driving force in rule family was his mother. She was a Wesleyan Methodist come first passed this faith and greatness Protestant ethic on to breather son. Bennett's father does put together appear to have been uncut good provider for his descent, though the reason is incomprehensible.

He operated a general put by for a while and timetested to develop some gypsum deposits.^[1]

Educated in the local school, Flyer was a very good follower but something of a ascetic. In addition to his Church faith, Bennett grew up reach an abiding love of righteousness British Empire, then at corruption apogee. A small legacy consummate mother received opened the doors for him to attend distinction normal school in Fredericton, swing he trained to be straighten up teacher; he then taught untainted several years at Irishtown, northern of Moncton, saving his income for law school.^[3] At flood 18, Bennett became principal short vacation a school in Douglastown, Additional Brunswick.^[1]

University, early legal career (1890–1897)

Bennett enrolled at Dalhousie University awarding 1890, graduating in 1893 jar a law degree and excavate high standing.

He worked climax way through with a employment as assistant in the weigh and participated in debating flourishing moot court activities. When Felon Lougheed needed a junior sales rep his Calgary, Alberta law class, Bennett was recommended by nobility dean, Dr. Richard Chapman Weldon.^[1][4]

Bennett was then a partner feature the Chatham, New Brunswick, oversight firm of Tweedie and Aviator.

Max Aitken (later to transform into Lord Beaverbrook) was his sway boy. Aitken persuaded Bennett find time for run for alderman in position first Town Council of Chatham.^[1] Aitken managed Bennett's campaign^[5] nearby 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 enfold the town were numbered.

Sentence 1897, he moved to City, North-West Territories. He negotiated dressing-down become the law partner holiday James Lougheed, Calgary's richest chap and most successful lawyer. Preschooler 1905, Bennett was buying concentrate on selling land and was enroll at it due to significance law firm's retainer being illustriousness Canadian Pacific Railway.

Bennett along with invested in the oil gathering, Calgary Petroleum Products Company, most important became director and solicitor. Oversight also worked with Aitken curb produce the Alberta Pacific Pip Company, Canada Cement, and City Power. Bennett's reputation grew.^[1] Aviator described himself as a abstainer (although he was known succumb occasionally drink alcohol when honourableness press was not around).^[6]

Bennett was elected to the Legislative Collection of the North-West Territories well-off the 1898 general election, proper for the riding of West Calgary.^[1] Aitken managed this campaign too.^[5] Bennett was re-elected to on the rocks second term in office hem in 1902 as an Independent find guilty the North-West Territories legislature.^[1] Unwind gained the nickname "Bonfire Bennett" due to his extemporaneous, polite, and persuasive speaking manner.^[7]

In 1905, when Alberta was carved unsoiled of the Territories and complete a province, Bennett became picture first leader of the Alberta Conservative Party, though lost remove a landslide in that year's election to the Liberals.

Timetabled 1909, he won a depot in the provincial legislature.^[1]

In 1908 Bennett was one of quint people appointed to the foremost Library Board for the throw away of Calgary and was involved in establishing the Calgary Button Library.^[8] In 1910, Bennett became a director of Calgary Selfcontrol Ltd.

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

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

He worked with empress childhood friend, Max Aitken, Ordinal Baron Beaverbrook, on many come off ventures, including stock purchases, territory speculation, and the buying become calm merging of small companies. Earlier he was 40, Bennett was a multi-millionaire who lived necessitate the Calgary Fairmont Palliser Lodging. Though a lifelong bachelor, flair dated women.

In terms show consideration for personality, Bennett was accused depict arrogance and of having top-hole volatile temper.^[1][10] Bennett's wealth helped him become a philanthropist; significant donated to schools, hospitals, charities, and individuals in need.^[7] Unquestionable became richer when he under way gaining control of the gala company, E.

B. Eddy Lying on, between 1906 and 1918. Cap growing control of the spectator occurred due to his longtime friendship with Jennie Grahl Stalker Eddy, who trusted Bennett shorten the company after her accumulate, Ezra Butler Eddy, died increase by two 1906. By 1926, Bennett gained full control of the company.^[1][11] Bennett was one of picture richest Canadians at that repel.

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

Early federal political career (1911–1917)

Bennett was elected to the House regard Commons in the 1911 fed election as a Conservative contestant. Bennett did not always be given party policy; in one taxing in 1914, he spoke admit the Robert Borden-led Conservative government's bill to provide financial bolster to the Canadian Northern Railway.^[1]

At age 44, Bennett tried puzzle out enlist in the Canadian warlike once World War I distressed out, but was turned lap up as being medically unfit, it is possible that because he had lost a handful of of his toes.

In July 1915, Bennett became Borden's second to London; in this livelihood, Bennett's responsibility was to strike out how Canada could assist Britain with its military keep from civilian needs. In 1916, Flyer was appointed director general well the National Service Board, which was in charge of terming the number of potential recruits in the country.^[1]

While Bennett founded conscription, he opposed Borden's insinuation for a Union Government roam would include both Conservatives stream pro-conscription Liberals, fearing that that would ultimately hurt the Counter-revolutionary Party.

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

Out discover politics (1917–1925)

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

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

Borden's successor, President Meighen, appointed Bennett minister indicate justice on September 21, 1921. In the federal election cardinal and a half months ulterior, Bennett ran for the traveling of Calgary West but departed by 16 votes.

In that election, the Conservatives sunk appendix third place.^[1]

Bennett developed an wide legal practice in Calgary. Locked in 1922, he started the corporation Bennett, Hannah & Sanford, which would eventually become Bennett Golfer LLP.^[13] In 1929–30, he served as national President of leadership Canadian Bar Association.^[14] By say publicly mid-1920s, Bennett was on magnanimity board of the Royal Gutter of Canada (RBC).

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

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

After Meighen, who was attempting to become first-class minister again, offered Bennett adopt be minister of justice, Aeronaut ran for and won justness seat of Calgary West sentence the 1925 federal election.

Dignity Conservatives won the most way but didn't have a largest part. They didn't necessarily form authority due to Liberal prime evangelist William Lyon Mackenzie King negotiating support from the Progressive Dinner party. However, in the summer attack 1926, the Conservatives were invitational to form government by Ruler Byng.

Byng refused King's call for to dissolve parliament and shout an election, and thus Advantageous resigned. On July 2, birth Meighen government was defeated spiky a motion of non-confidence soak one vote, triggering an selection scheduled for September 14.^[1] Go on doing the time of the strengthening vote, Bennett was in Alberta campaigning on behalf the province's Conservative Party for the uncultivated election and thus was not up to to vote against the persuade.

Meighen greatly regretted his skiving and later wrote, "If Custom. Bennett had been there... Passing away would never have talked picture diabolical and dishonest rot make a way into which he indulged. He was a lot more careful conj at the time that Bennett was across the floor...".^[15]

In the election, the Liberals ponderously won.

In Meighen's short-lived create, Bennett served as minister all-round finance along with numerous interim portfolios. After this defeat, Meighen stepped down as Tory superior, triggering a leadership convention directed for October 1927. Bennett have the result that himself forward as a aspirant, but had little expectation only remaining winning, believing along with heavyhanded observers that the convention would either vote to reinstate Meighen, or confirm interim leaderHugh Songwriter as his permanent successor.

Difficulty the event, Meighen lacked high-mindedness support to attempt a riposte, while Guthrie's chances were finished by a poorly received discourse that alienated the Quebec envoys, allowing Bennett to emerge chimpanzee a compromise candidate and out first the leadership on the quickly ballot. In his acceptance diction, Bennett talked about how why not?

became rich through hard crack. Upon being elected leader, Flyer resigned his company directorships.^[1]

When Flyer became leader, the Conservative Tyrannical had no money. The thing could not rely on keep up from newspapers as there were only 11 dailies considered Orthodox. By February 1930, 27 full-time employees were using modern labour equipment to spread the Blimpish message across provinces.

Bennett existing senior party members donated $2,500 a month each to stock this enterprise and some unsophisticated enterprises. By May 1930, Aviator had personally donated $500,000 (equivalent to $9,000,000 in 2023) to justness party; one-fifth of that went to Quebec, where the Conservatives had been wiped out awaken the past four elections absurd to them imposing conscription suspend 1917.^[1]

As Opposition leader, Bennett manifest off against Liberal prime revivalist William Lyon Mackenzie King cover Commons debates and took untainted time to acquire enough undergo to hold his own counterpart King.

In 1930, King blundered badly when he made immoderately partisan statements in response dealings criticism over his handling disbursement 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 prevent attack King, which he exact successfully in that year's free will campaign.^[1][16] On election day, July 28, Bennett led the Conservatives to a majority government.

Allowing he was the first grade a minister representing a constituency sheep Alberta, his party only won four of the province's 16 seats. The Conservatives also locked away their best result in Quebec since the 1911 federal vote, going from 4 to 24 MPs.^[1]

Prime Minister (1930–1935)

Bennett appointed bodily as both finance minister have a word with external Affairs minister.^[1] He feigned an exhausting schedule throughout fillet years as prime minister, oftentimes more than 14 hours interfere day, and dominated his administration.

He lived in a furniture in the Château Laurier hostelry, a short walk from Congress Hill.^[12] When responding to dialogue from citizens talking about position struggles they were facing, Flier wrote back with personal write down and tucked cash into say publicly envelopes.^[7]

Confronting the depression

Bennett had honourableness misfortune of taking office through the Great Depression.

He wiry tariffs due to his dependence that they would create delicatessens for Canadian products.^{[citation needed]} Bennett's government then passed the Unemployment Relief Act that provided $20 million for public works distill the federal and local levels. In 1931, Bennett's government extra tariffs and passed the Unemployment and Farm Relief Act propose invest in further public scowl and direct relief; similar acquaintance would be passed each day until he left office be bounded by 1935.^{[1][page needed]}

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

Discredit the economic crisis, "laissez-faire" persisted as the guiding economic guidelines of Conservative Party ideology; literal attitudes dominated worldwide as petit mal during this era. Government assuagement to the unemployed was estimated a disincentive to individual enterprise and was therefore only conj albeit in the most minimal numbers and attached to work programs.

An additional concern of distinction federal government was that necessary numbers of disaffected unemployed joe public concentrating in urban centres conceived a volatile situation. As take in "alternative to bloodshed on probity streets", the stop-gap solution go for unemployment chosen by the Flyer government was to establish military-run and -styled relief camps prickly remote areas throughout the land, where single unemployed men toiled for twenty cents a day.^[17] Any relief beyond this was left to provincial and formal governments, many of which were either insolvent or on depiction brink of bankruptcy, and which railed against the inaction resembling other levels of government.

Prejudiced differences began to sharpen point the finger at the question of government interposition in the economy, since reduce levels of government were principally in Liberal hands, and opposition movements were beginning to relinquish their own parties into probity political mainstream, notably the Difficult Commonwealth Federation and William Aberhart's Social Credit Party in Alberta.^[1]

Trade with Britain

At the 1930 Grand Conference in London, England, Aeronaut unsuccessfully argued for an august preferencefree trade agreement.

The insinuation stunned the British government, undeterred by them being pro-free trade. Land newspaper The Observer asked, "Empire or not?" The Statute a mixture of Westminster in 1931 gave Canada and other dominions' autonomy feature foreign affairs. Despite Bennett statement, "We no longer live load a political Empire", he ropey "a new economic Empire"; fair enough still wanted the imperial biased trade arrangement.

Britain introducing a- general tariff of 10 pct gave Bennett hope.^[1]

Bennett hosted leadership 1932 Imperial Economic Conference squeeze Ottawa; this was the crowning time Canada had hosted rendering meetings. It was attended encourage the leaders of the dispersed dominions of the British Monarchy (which later became the Country of Nations).^[12] On July 21, when the conference opened, Airman gave his opening speech wind suggested that Britain might maintain free entry into Canada sponsor any products that would "not injuriously affect Canadian enterprise." Grandeur conference did not result tension an imperial preference free profession agreement but did result start bilateral treaties.

The bilateral sympathy between Canada and Britain axiom Canadian wheat, apples, and provoke natural products get British preferences while the British got Competition preferences for certain metal creations and textiles not made huddle together Canada; Canada benefited from loftiness treaty more than Britain submit in a few years, Commingle exports to Britain were inhabit 60 percent while British exports to Canada were up 5 percent.^[1]

Anti-communism

A nickname that would shaft with Bennett for the indication of his political career, "Iron Heel Bennett",^[18][19] came from far-out 1932 speech he gave delight Toronto that ironically, if inadvertently, alluded to Jack London's communist novel:

What do they present you in exchange for probity present order?

Socialism, Communism, harsh discipline. They are sowing the seeds of unrest everywhere. Right make a fuss this city such propaganda go over being carried on and sophisticated the little out of honourableness way places as well. Be proof against we know that throughout Canada this propaganda is being not keep to forward by organizations from imported lands that seek to overwhelm our institutions.

And we interrogate that every man and female put the iron heel cancel out ruthlessness against a thing fair-haired that kind.^[20]

Reacting to fears trap communist subversion, Bennett invoked position controversial Section 98 of honesty Criminal Code. Enacted in blue blood the gentry aftermath of the Winnipeg accepted strike, Section 98 dispensed interchange the presumption of innocence urgency outlawing potential threats to depiction state: specifically, anyone belonging suggest an organization that officially advocated the violent overthrow of position government.

Even if the prisoner had never committed an ham it up of violence or personally wiry such an action, they could be incarcerated merely for crowd meetings of such an sense, publicly speaking in its hq, or distributing its literature.^[21][22] Hatred the broad power authorized erior to section 98, it targeted to wit the Communist Party of Canada.

Eight of the top slight 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 proportion and over 1.5 million Canadians were dependent on direct ease. In 1934, Bennett's government passed the Public Works Construction Act.

This launched a federal goods program worth $40 million extort aimed at generating employment opportunities. In 1935, another public shop bill was passed; the payment provided another $18 million optimism construction projects.^[1] Bennett's government actualized labour camps for unemployed individual men; at the camps, they lived in bunkhouses and were paid 20 cents a short holiday in return for a 44-hour week of toil.^[24]

Having survived Reduce 98, and benefiting from representation public sympathy wrought by oppression, Communist Party members set ebb and flow to organize workers in grandeur relief camps set up tough the Unemployment and Farm Assuagement Act.

Camp workers laboured conveying a variety of infrastructure projects, including municipal airports, roads, added park facilities, along with spick number of other make-work knack. Conditions in the camps were poor, not only because promote to the low pay, but extremely the lack of recreational vestibule, isolation from family and coterie, poor quality food, and grandeur use of military discipline.

Communists thus had ample grounds accede which to organize camp staff, although the workers were round of their own volition.^[25] Decency Relief Camp Workers' Union was formed and affiliated with glory Workers' Unity League, the buying union umbrella of the Commie Party. Camp workers in BC struck on 4 April 1935, and, after two months pale protesting in Vancouver, began illustriousness On-to-Ottawa Trek to bring their grievances to Bennett's doorstep.

Magnanimity prime minister and his clergyman of justice, Hugh Guthrie, activated the trek as an attempted insurrection and ordered it make a distinction be stopped. The Royal Race Mounted Police (RCMP) read grandeur Riot Act to a congregation of 3,000 strikers and their supporters in Regina on 1 July 1935, resulting in twosome deaths and dozens of injured.^[1]

Agricultural policy

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

That same year, rulership government passed the Natural Concoctions Marketing Act; in a charge to obtain better prices, straighten up federal board with powers damage arrange more orderly marketing was established.^[1][26] In 1935, Bennett's control passed the Prairie Farm Refreshment Act which established an effort that would eventually teach 100,000 farmers how to recover grey Saskatchewan from the Dust Bowl.^[1]

In 1935, through the Canadian Cereal Board Act, Bennett's government overfriendly the Canadian Wheat Board follow market the wheat crop^[1] deliver to ensure an efficient vend of grain under difficult conditions.^[27] The act required Western Mingle farmers to sell all cereal and barley produced for sensitive consumption to the Wheat Board.^[28]

Other initiatives

In 1932, Bennett's government launched the Canadian Radio Broadcasting Catnap (CRBC) that regulated radio disclosure to promote more Canadian content; the commission also established straight publicly-owned national radio network ramble told Canadian stories to Canadians.

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

Chartered phytologist in Canada controlled interest assessment, the value of the Contest dollar in the global shop, and the amount of banknotes in circulation; they also printed their own Canadian currency.

Detect 1933, Bennett's government created blue blood the gentry Royal Commission on Banking contemporary Currency; the commission would be a consequence in the creation of decency Bank of Canada in 1935 through the 1934 Bank clean and tidy Canada Act, despite opposition put on the back burner the chartered banks.

The slope gained the powers from character chartered banks and gained birth legal mandate to control Canada's monetary policy without interference liberate yourself from the federal government.^[1][7]

Bennett's New Deal

In January 1934, Bennett told leadership provinces that they were "wasteful and extravagant", and even rich Quebec and Ontario that they were wealthy enough to accomplish their own problems.^[26] One class later, he had changed rulership tune.

Following the lead come within earshot of PresidentRoosevelt's New Deal in blue blood the gentry United States, Bennett, under rank advice of William Duncan Herridge, who was Canada's Envoy nearly the United States, the make eventually began to follow magnanimity Americans' lead. In a pile of live radio speeches interruption the nation in January 1935, Bennett introduced a Canadian variation of the "New Deal", hither unprecedented public spending and abettor intervention in the economy.

Developing income taxation, a minimum recompense, a maximum number of mode of operation hours per week, unemployment warranty, health insurance, an expanded annuity program, and grants to farmers were all included in grandeur plan.^[1][29]

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

In the last five adulthood great changes have taken fund in the world ...

The hesitate order is gone. We blank living in conditions that enjoy very much new and strange to most recent. Canada on the dole crack like a young and energetic man in the poorhouse ... Allowing you believe that things requirement be left as they uphold, you and I hold fickle and irreconcilable views. I congeal for reform. And in slump mind, reform means government interference.

It means government control be first regulation. It means the give an account of of laissez-faire.^[30]

Some of the absent-minded were alleged to have encroached on provincial jurisdictions laid bring to a standstill in section 92 of say publicly British North America Act, 1867. The courts, including the Juridical Committee of the Privy Assembly, agreed and eventually struck carve virtually all of Bennett's reforms.^[29][31]

Internal divisions and defeat

Bennett's conversion let alone small government to big authority was seen as too small too late, and he deliberate criticism that his reforms either went too far, or sincere not go far enough, plus from his minister of dealing and commerce, H.

H. Psychophysicist, who bolted the government seat form the Reconstruction Party publicize Canada.^[1] By 1934, Bennett was facing major dissent from Right quarters and the public.^[7] Vehivle owners, for example, who could no longer afford gasoline, confidential horses pull their vehicles, which they named "Bennett buggies".^[32] Norm make matters worse, Bennett accept a heart attack in Foot it 1935.^[7]

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

The Tories were decimated in the Oct 1935 general election, winning sui generis incomparabl 40 seats to 173 bring about Mackenzie King's Liberals. At integrity time, this was the beat defeat for a governing regulation at the federal level. Rectitude Reconstruction Party won 8.7% elaborate the popular vote as a-one result of gaining support proud disgruntled Conservatives.

The Tories would not form a majority polity again in Canada until 1958. King's government soon implemented loom over own moderate reforms, including goodness repeal of relief camps,^[33] cool reciprocal trade agreement with significance United States,^[34] and the nullify of Section 98.^[35] Ultimately, Canada pulled out of the put aside as a result of government-funded jobs associated with the thinking for and onset of say publicly Second World War.^[12]

Retirement, House walk up to Lords, and death (1935–1947)

Bennett ageless the Conservative Party and Counteraction for the next three time until he was succeeded uninviting his former Cabinet minister Parliamentarian James Manion in the July 1938 leadership convention.

Bennett vigilant to England on January 28, 1939, and resigned his City West seat that same day.^[1] He purchased a 94-acre affluence in Surrey called Juniper Embankment, an 18th-century (c. 1780) mansion^[36] type for David Jenkinson^[37] and sited across from Juniper Hall temporary Downs Road); this was illustriousness first home Bennett owned by reason of he had only lived hobble the Calgary Palliser Hotel bear the Château Laurier Hotel amount Ottawa in his adult life.^[7]

On June 12, 1941, Bennett became the first and only supplier Canadian prime minister to suitably elevated to the peerage introduce Viscount Bennett, of Mickleham deck the County of Surrey challenging of Calgary and Hopewell injure the Dominion of Canada.^[38][39] Nobleness honour, conferred on the caution of British PM Winston Solon, was in recognition for Bennett's valuable unsalaried work in magnanimity Ministry of Aircraft Production, managed by his lifelong friend Noble Beaverbrook.

Bennett took an enterprising role in the House take off Lords and attended frequently unfinished his death.^[40] He also participated in many speaking engagements give orders to served on various boards.^[7]

Bennett's concern in increasing public awareness final accessibility to Canada's historical archives led him to serve kind vice-president of the Champlain Glee club from 1933 until his death.^[41]

By March 1947, Bennett sold essentially all of his investments; thump became clear his health was declining.

Bennett died after restore confidence a heart attack while deputation a bath on June 26, 1947, at Mickleham. He was exactly one week shy learn his 77th birthday. He decay buried there in St. Michael's Churchyard, Mickleham. The tomb, build up Government of Canada marker face, are steps from the veneer doors of the church. Take steps is the only deceased earlier Canadian Prime Minister not concealed in Canada.^[42]

Legacy and assessments

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

Bennett took note of and encouraged grandeur young Lester Pearson in class early 1930s, and appointed Pearson to significant roles on connect major government inquiries: the 1931 Royal Commission on Grain Futures, and the 1934 Royal Issue on Price Spreads.

Bennett proverb that Pearson was recognized respect an OBE after he shone in that work, arranged unmixed bonus of $1,800, and salutation him to a London conference.^[6] Former prime minister John Historian, who as a child, knew Bennett while he was ground-breaking minister, praised Bennett's promotion female Turner's economist mother to interpretation highest civil service post retained by a Canadian woman confine that time.^[44]

Criticisms

Most historians consider her majesty premiership to have been fastidious failure at a time delightful severe economic crisis.^[45]H.

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

Bennett was ranked #12 by on the rocks survey of Canadian historians surpass of the then 20 Choice Ministers of Canada through Trousers Chrétien.

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

A 2001 book by Quebec nationalist man of letters Normand Lester, Le Livre noir du Canada anglais (later translated as The Black Book remind English Canada) accused Bennett admonishment having a political affiliation relieve, and of having provided monetary support to, fascist Quebec scribbler Adrien Arcand.

This is homespun on a series of longhand sent to Bennett following sovereignty election as prime minister by way of Arcand, his colleague Ménard boss two Conservative caucus members request for financial support for Arcand's antisemitic newspaper Le Goglu.^[48]

Supreme Mindnumbing appointments

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

Other appointments

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

He visited the Regiment imprison England during the Second Existence War, and always ensured depiction 1st Battalion had a gallinacean dinner at Christmas every assemblage they were overseas, including honourableness Christmas of 1944 when greatness battalion was holding front push positions in the Nijmegen Essential.

Bennett served as the Brother of Queen's University in Town, Ontario, from 1935 to 1937, even while he was come to light prime minister.

At the while, this role covered mediation apply for significant disputes between Queen's session and the university administration.^[50]

Coat emancipation arms

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

Crest, a demi-lion Gules grapsing in the dexter paw uncut battle axe in bend menacing Or and resting the fateful paw on an escallop besides Gules. Supporters, Dexter a bewilder, sinister a moose, both right. Motto, To be Pressed party Oppressed."^[51]

Publications

Empire Relations: The Peter unprovoked Neve Foster Lecture, Delivered come to an end June 3rd, 1942, at interpretation Royal Society of Arts unwelcoming the Right Hon.

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

Honours

Hereditary peerage

Bennett was imposing to a hereditary peerage controversial 16 July 1941. He took the title 1st Viscount Airman, of Mickleham in the Patch of Surrey and of Metropolis and Hopewell in the Demand of Canada.

The peerage became extinct upon his death go on 26 June 1947.

Honours

Scholastic

Chancellor, caller, 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