Arthur Meighen
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The 9th prime minister of canada
The Early Years
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• Born in Ontario in 1874
• Honors Mathematics at U of T, Law from
Osgoode Hall Law School
• Teacher, Salesmen, Lawyer, then
Politician
• Entered politics when he moved to
Portage la Prairie (1902) and became
the MP (1908)
Initial Accomplishments
• Portage la Prairie MP in 1908
• Excellent debating and orating skills catch attention of PM
(Borden)
– Also had an extensive knowledge of parliamentary rules and
analyzing legislation
• Solicitor General- 1913-17
• Secretary of State - 1917-20
• Superintendant of Indian Affairs- 1917-20
• Minister of Interior- 1917-20’
• Minister of Mines- 1919-20
• Minister of Justice- 1919
• Drafts Military Service Act, Wartime Elections Act, and many
more
• Instrumental in the passing of the Naval Aid Bill
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Positions in Politics
• Conservative
• Supported revival of National Policy’s
high tariffs
• Supported mandatory conscription
• Ended Winnipeg General Strike
• Opposed Anglo-Japanese Alliance
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Rise to Power
• Had many high-power roles in Borden’s
government
• Took over leadership of Conservatives
after Borden retires
Meighen’s Successes as PM
• Most of his successes when he was under
Borden
• Regains a lot of support for Conservatives
while Leader of the Opposition (1921-26)
• Incredible debater and orator
• Spent very little time in power
– Less than 2 years in total
Meighen’s Failures as PM
• Unpopular with the people and much of his
party
• Didn’t accomplish much while PM
• When he regains leadership of the party in
1941, doesn’t even win the MP seat in his
riding
• Unsuccessful in his attempt at the revival of
the National Policy of high tariffs
Final Days (x 3)
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• 1921: unpopular with the public due to his
actions with the WGS, conscription and
Wartime Elections Act.
• 1926: King-Byng Crisis puts him in power, 4
days later the Tories lose a vote in the House
of Commons, leads to an election which they
lose, again due to past actions and a lack of
charisma
• 1941: does not become PM or Leader of
Opposition because he loses his MP seat in
Portage la Prairie, leaves politics
Meighen’s Impact
• Most of Meighen’s impact on Canada occurred when he was in
the cabinet of Borden’s government
– Much better ‘first mate’ than ‘captain’
•
As PM, he did not accomplish very much and was not well liked
by the public because of his key involvement in certain issues
like farm tariffs, the WGS, and conscription
• Due to his unpopularity, he spent very little time in power
• Meighen is not often talked about as his impact as a PM is very
little
• Most popularly well known for the creation of the Canadian
National Railway and for being an amazing debater
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Bibliography
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The Right Honourable ARTHUR MEIGHEN (Jan 11)
collectionscanada.gc.ca/2/4/h4-3225-e.html
Arthur Meighen- Quick Facts (Jan 12)
prime-ministers.ca/meighen/quickfacts.php
Arthur Meighen (Jan 12)
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_Meighen
The Right Honourable Arthur Mieghen- Political Career (Jan 12)
sympatico.ca/goweezer/canada/meighen.htm
Prime Minister Arthur Meighen (Jan 12)
canadaonline.about.com/primeministers/p/blpmmeighen.htm
Arthur Meighen- 1874-1960 (Jan 12)
mhs.mb.ca/docs/people/meighen_a.shtml