John Boyko: Revisiting R. B. Bennett

Summary

Key Points

• —Richard Bennett, born in 1870, had an early ambition to become Prime Minister, a goal he achieved in 1930. 0:26
• —Despite facing immense economic challenges, Bennett's government introduced a 'New Deal' aimed at combating the depression, which included improvements to old-age pensions and unemployment insurance, and major infrastructure projects. 1:45
• —Key institutions created during Bennett's time include the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) and the Bank of Canada, demonstrating his impact on Canada's development. 2:00
• —Bennett was a successful capitalist and financier before entering politics, amassing significant wealth, though some of his business practices would be considered ethically questionable today. 3:09
• —He was a deeply philanthropic individual, influenced by his mother and Methodist upbringing, who donated generously to various causes and institutions, often anonymously. 7:28
• —Bennett possessed a strong temper but was also a transformational leader who challenged the status quo and conventional thinking of his era. 8:16
• —Bennett's premiership coincided with the Great Depression, a period of severe economic hardship in Canada. 12:28
• —His proposed 'New Deal' policies, while intended to address the crisis, were largely deemed unconstitutional by the Supreme Court, leading to a re-evaluation of federal powers and the Canadian Constitution. 21:17
• —Bennett is credited by some with helping to save democracy in Canada by countering the growing influence of the Communist Party during a period of significant social unrest. 22:59
• —After his single term as Prime Minister, Bennett moved to Britain, choosing to continue public service in a different capacity rather than exploiting his former position for personal financial gain. 25:54