By Greg Scott
W.A.C. Bennett: The Builder of British Columbia
In the sweeping panorama of Canadian history, there are figures who stand out not just for their political acumen, but for their vision—men who saw beyond the immediate challenges of their day and laid the foundations for the future. Such a man was W.A.C. Bennett, the premier of British Columbia who, over two decades, transformed the province from a quiet backwater into an economic powerhouse. Bennett was more than just a politician; he was a force of nature, a man whose determination and vision reshaped the landscape of British Columbia, both literally and figuratively.
Origins: From the Maritimes to the West
William Andrew Cecil Bennett, known to all as W.A.C., was born on September 6, 1900, in Hastings, New Brunswick. His roots were humble, the son of a shopkeeper in the small town of Saint John, where he learned the value of hard work and self-reliance. These early lessons would stay with him throughout his life, shaping his approach to politics and governance.
In 1901, when Bennett was still an infant, his family moved to Alberta, drawn by the promise of opportunity in the burgeoning West. It was here, on the open prairies, that young W.A.C. grew up, imbibing the frontier spirit that characterized the Canadian West at the time. He would later move to Kelowna, British Columbia, where he established himself as a successful businessman, running a hardware store that became the cornerstone of his financial independence.
The Rise of the Social Credit Party
Bennett’s entry into politics came in the 1930s, during a period of economic turmoil and political unrest. The Great Depression had left many Canadians disillusioned with the traditional political parties, and Bennett, always one to think outside the box, was drawn to the ideas of the Social Credit movement. Social Credit, with its emphasis on monetary reform and the redistribution of wealth, offered an alternative to the economic orthodoxy of the day, and it quickly gained a following among those who felt left behind by the system.
Bennett was first elected to the British Columbia legislature in 1941 as a member of the Conservative Party, but he soon found himself disillusioned with the traditional political establishment. In 1951, seeing an opportunity to channel the growing discontent among voters, he left the Conservative Party and joined the British Columbia Social Credit League. His timing could not have been better. The Social Credit Party, with its populist appeal and promise of economic reform, was on the rise, and Bennett was perfectly positioned to lead it.
In 1952, in a stunning turn of events, the Social Credit Party won the provincial election, and W.A.C. Bennett became the premier of British Columbia. It was a victory that shocked the political establishment and marked the beginning of a new era in the province’s history. Bennett, the maverick businessman from Kelowna, was now in charge of a province that was on the cusp of dramatic change.
The Bennett Vision: Building British Columbia
Bennett’s tenure as premier would last for twenty years, from 1952 to 1972, making him one of the longest-serving premiers in Canadian history. During this time, he pursued an ambitious agenda of economic development and infrastructure expansion, transforming British Columbia into one of the most prosperous provinces in Canada.
Central to Bennett’s vision was the belief that government should play an active role in shaping the economy. Unlike many of his contemporaries, who favored a hands-off approach, Bennett believed in the power of the state to drive economic growth and improve the lives of its citizens. This belief led to the creation of some of the most significant public works projects in Canadian history, projects that would leave an indelible mark on the province.
Perhaps the most famous of these projects was the creation of BC Hydro, the provincially owned electric utility that would become the backbone of British Columbia’s economy. Bennett, with his characteristic determination, pushed through the construction of massive hydroelectric dams, including the W.A.C. Bennett Dam on the Peace River, which was named in his honor. These dams provided the cheap, reliable power needed to fuel the province’s industrial expansion, particularly in the resource-rich northern regions.
But Bennett’s vision extended beyond hydroelectric power. He was also instrumental in the expansion of the province’s transportation infrastructure, including the construction of highways, bridges, and railways that connected the remote corners of British Columbia to the rest of Canada. Under his leadership, the Pacific Great Eastern Railway, later known as BC Rail, was expanded, opening up vast tracts of land for development and resource extraction.
Bennett’s policies were often controversial, particularly his aggressive approach to resource development. He believed that British Columbia’s natural resources—its forests, minerals, and water—were the key to its prosperity, and he was determined to ensure that they were exploited for the benefit of the province. This often put him at odds with environmentalists and Indigenous communities, who were concerned about the impact of these developments on the land and their way of life.
Politics and Power: The Bennett Style
Bennett’s political style was as distinctive as his vision for the province. He was a populist at heart, with a knack for connecting with ordinary voters and a deep suspicion of the political elite. He ran his government like a business, with a focus on efficiency and results, and he was known for his hands-on approach to governance. Bennett was not one to delegate responsibility; he was deeply involved in the day-to-day operations of his government, often making decisions unilaterally and expecting his ministers to follow his lead.
This autocratic style earned him both admirers and critics. To his supporters, Bennett was a decisive leader who got things done, a man who was willing to make the tough decisions needed to move the province forward. To his detractors, he was a bully who disregarded democratic norms and rode roughshod over his opponents. Yet, despite the controversy, Bennett remained immensely popular with the electorate, winning re-election time and time again.
Bennett’s relationship with the federal government was another hallmark of his tenure. He was a fierce defender of provincial rights and often clashed with Ottawa over issues such as resource development and taxation. Bennett believed that British Columbia should have control over its own destiny and was not afraid to stand up to the federal government to protect the province’s interests. This assertiveness earned him respect in British Columbia, where many saw him as a champion of the province’s autonomy.
The Challenges and the End of an Era
Despite his many successes, Bennett’s time in office was not without its challenges. By the late 1960s, the political landscape in British Columbia was changing. The rise of the New Democratic Party (NDP), which appealed to a growing segment of the electorate who were dissatisfied with Bennett’s focus on development at the expense of social programs, posed a significant threat to his hold on power.
In 1972, after twenty years in office, Bennett’s Social Credit Party was defeated by the NDP, marking the end of an era in British Columbia politics. The loss was a bitter blow for Bennett, who had devoted his life to the service of the province. He retired from public life, leaving behind a legacy that would be debated and analyzed for years to come.
Legacy: The Builder of British Columbia
W.A.C. Bennett died on February 23, 1979, but his influence on British Columbia endures to this day. He is often remembered as “The Builder,” a fitting title for a man whose vision and determination reshaped the province. The infrastructure projects he championed—BC Hydro, the Pacific Great Eastern Railway, and the network of highways and bridges—remain central to British Columbia’s economy and identity.
Yet, Bennett’s legacy is not without controversy. His aggressive pursuit of resource development, often at the expense of the environment and Indigenous rights, has been the subject of much criticism. In the years since his death, British Columbians have grappled with the consequences of the rapid development that Bennett championed, including environmental degradation and unresolved land claims.
Nonetheless, W.A.C. Bennett’s impact on British Columbia is undeniable. He was a man of vision and determination, a leader who believed in the power of government to shape the future and who was willing to take bold risks to achieve his goals. His story is a testament to the power of individual leadership to change the course of history, and to the enduring complexities of progress and development in a rapidly changing world.
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