Richard Bedford Bennett, Canada’s 11th Prime Minister, was a complex and driven man whose tenure was shaped by one of the most tumultuous periods in Canadian history—the Great Depression. Born on July 3, 1870, in Hopewell Hill, New Brunswick, Bennett’s early life was marked by modest beginnings but lofty ambitions. He was the son of Henry Bennett, a shipbuilder and lumberman, and Henrietta Stiles. Though his family faced financial challenges, Bennett’s upbringing in a rural, hardworking community instilled in him a strong sense of discipline, self-reliance, and the value of education. These qualities would serve him well throughout his career.
Bennett was particularly close to his mother, who was a schoolteacher, and he admired her deeply. As a young boy, he expressed two ambitions—to follow in his mother’s footsteps as a teacher and to one day become Prime Minister of Canada. He achieved the first of these goals at the young age of 18 when he became a teacher in rural New Brunswick. However, after two years of teaching, Bennett felt drawn to a different path and decided to pursue a career in law. He attended Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, where he studied law and developed a strong reputation as an astute and hardworking student. In 1893, he was admitted to the New Brunswick bar, beginning what would become an illustrious legal career.
After practicing law in New Brunswick for a few years, Bennett decided to move west in search of greater opportunities. In 1897, he settled in Calgary, Alberta, where he joined the Lougheed law firm, a prominent and influential legal practice in the region. Bennett quickly made a name for himself as a brilliant lawyer, and his reputation for diligence and legal acumen helped him amass wealth and prominence in the rapidly growing city. His success in the legal field allowed him to develop close relationships with Calgary’s elite, and his involvement in various business ventures further increased his influence.
Bennett’s move to Calgary marked the beginning of his political career. He became active in the local political scene and was elected to the North-West Territories Legislative Assembly before Alberta and Saskatchewan became provinces in 1905. When Alberta officially became a province, Bennett was elected to the Alberta Legislature, where he began to build a reputation as a strong and principled conservative.
In 1911, Bennett transitioned to federal politics when he was elected as the Member of Parliament for Calgary in the House of Commons. He quickly rose to prominence within the Conservative Party and became a close ally of Prime Minister Sir Robert Borden. During World War I, Bennett played a key role as Borden’s right-hand man on various critical issues, including the controversial implementation of conscription in 1917. Although he was an important figure in Borden’s government, Bennett did not seek re-election in 1917, preferring instead to focus on his business and legal interests.
However, Bennett’s political ambitions were far from over. He returned to federal politics in 1921, serving as Minister of Justice in Arthur Meighen’s first short-lived Conservative government. That same year, he ran for re-election in Calgary West but was narrowly defeated by a Labour candidate by just 16 votes. Though disappointed, Bennett did not give up, and he reclaimed his seat in 1925, continuing to represent Calgary West in subsequent elections in 1926, 1930, and 1935.
The pivotal moment in Bennett’s political career came in 1930, at the height of the Great Depression. The global economic collapse had devastated Canada’s economy, leading to widespread unemployment, poverty, and social unrest. The ruling Liberal government under William Lyon Mackenzie King struggled to address the crisis, and Bennett, now leader of the Conservative Party, presented himself as a man of action who could lead Canada out of the depression. His campaign slogan, "It's either Bennett or ruin," captured the desperation of the times and resonated with voters.
In the 1930 federal election, Bennett’s Conservatives won a decisive victory, and he realized his lifelong ambition of becoming Prime Minister of Canada. He took office on August 7, 1930, during one of the most challenging periods in the country’s history. As Prime Minister, Bennett immediately set to work tackling the depression, but the task was monumental. His government implemented various measures to stimulate the economy, including direct relief for the unemployed, public works programs, and increased tariffs to protect Canadian industries.
Bennett also took on the additional responsibilities of the Finance and External Affairs portfolios, believing that direct control over these key areas was necessary to effectively combat the depression. In 1932, he hosted the Imperial Economic Conference in Ottawa, a major event that resulted in the adoption of a British preferential tariff system. This system aimed to strengthen trade within the British Empire, offering mutual tariff reductions to member countries in an effort to revive economic growth. The conference was seen as a success, but the global depression continued to worsen, and Bennett’s efforts did not yield the immediate results many Canadians had hoped for.
One of Bennett’s lasting legacies was the establishment of the Bank of Canada in 1934, which he founded to provide stability to Canada’s financial system and to centralize control over monetary policy. The creation of the Bank of Canada was a significant step in modernizing Canada’s economy and remains a cornerstone of the country’s financial infrastructure today.
Despite his best efforts, the depression persisted, and Bennett’s government faced increasing criticism. His policies, which were initially supported by many Canadians, began to be seen as ineffective in addressing the ongoing economic crisis. By 1934, unemployment remained high, and public discontent was growing. In an effort to turn things around, Bennett attempted to implement more progressive reforms in 1935, announcing a series of social welfare measures inspired by U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal. Bennett’s "New Deal" promised to introduce unemployment insurance, minimum wage laws, and expanded worker protections. However, these reforms came too late to save his government.
The 1935 federal election saw a dramatic reversal of fortunes for Bennett and the Conservatives. The Liberals, led by Mackenzie King, capitalized on the growing dissatisfaction with Bennett’s leadership and won a landslide victory. Bennett’s Conservatives were reduced to just 39 seats in the House of Commons, and Bennett himself was forced to step down as leader of the party. The crushing defeat marked the end of Bennett’s political career in Canada.
After his retirement from politics, Bennett moved to England in 1938, where he purchased an estate near Leatherhead, Surrey. In recognition of his contributions to Canada, Bennett was created Viscount Bennett of Mickleham, Calgary, and Hopewell in 1941, becoming the only Canadian Prime Minister to be elevated to the British peerage. Bennett spent the remainder of his life in England, where he remained active in charitable and business endeavors. He never married, and like his contemporary Mackenzie King, he was known for his personal austerity and moral rigor. True to a promise he made to his mother, Bennett abstained from alcohol and tobacco throughout his life and adhered strictly to his Protestant beliefs, refusing to work on Sundays except in cases of extreme necessity.
Bennett passed away suddenly on June 26, 1947, at the age of 76. He was buried in the churchyard of St. Michael's Church in Mickleham, Surrey, marking him as the only former Canadian Prime Minister to be buried outside of Canada. Despite the controversies and challenges he faced during his time in office, Bennett’s legacy as a determined and principled leader endures. His efforts to navigate Canada through the Great Depression, while not entirely successful, were emblematic of his commitment to public service and his desire to improve the lives of his fellow Canadians.
Though Bennett’s tenure as Prime Minister was brief and marked by difficult circumstances, his contributions to Canadian political and economic life, particularly his role in establishing the Bank of Canada and hosting the Imperial Economic Conference, have left a lasting impact. His personal story—rising from humble beginnings in New Brunswick to the highest office in the land—reflects the grit and determination that defined his approach to leadership.
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