Canada Without RB Bennett

This year the Albert County Museum is celebrating the 7th Annual RB Bennett Day in conjunction with our Canada 150 celebrations. Why, though, do we have such a day? Why is RB Bennett so important? Sure, he was born and raised in Hopewell Cape. He was the 11th Prime Minister of Canada. But really. What’s the big deal with this guy anyway?

Sometimes, the best way to answer a question is with another question: What would Canada look like without Richard Bedford Bennett?

You wake up in the morning to your radio alarm, set to “Information Morning” on CBC radio. You hear that interest rates are holding and that Viola Desmond is going to be on the new ten dollar bill. Turning on Facebook, you read an article about the necessity of tipping servers in the United States, and can’t imagine what it would be like to only make $3.50 an hour. At least minimum wage guarantees some income here in Canada! Then your sister calls to find out what Remembrance Day service you will be attending next week. You have gone together to pay your respects since you were children. Your grandfather had died overseas.

RB Bennett founded the CBC!

Without RB Bennett, that entire scenario doesn’t happen.  Without RB Bennett, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation doesn’t exist. There is no Bank of Canada, so interest rates are all over the map depending on what bank you are at. Currency, let’s not get started on the politics there. Minimum wage? It is nothing but a dream. And who knows if you will be able to go to Remembrance Day services, since it’s not a national holiday.

And here’s an even bigger surprise – these four things are just the tip of the proverbial iceberg. Employment Insurance, Income Assistance, the Weekly Day of Rest Act, and the list goes on and on as to all of the things Bennett had a hand in making happen at the national level. Without RB Bennett, the Canada we love would have a very different social and political landscape.

The biggest deal of all is that he made it happen during one of the most difficult times in our country’s economic history – the Great Depression. He set the foundation for further social services and reform. Richard Bedford Bennett was the kid who lived next door, a shipbuilder’s son, a “Cape kid” that changed the face of Canada.

I’d say that is a pretty big deal.

If you’d like to know more about RB Bennett, come visit the Albert County Museum. Specifically, join us on July 1 to celebrate Canada 150 and for the special unveiling of a new feature to our museum, and other incredible additions to the RB Bennett Commemorative Centre.

For more information email melody@albertcountymuseum.com or call 734-2003.
 

*Thank you to Connecting Albert County for publishing this article.

Introducing the Keynote Speaker at the 6th Annual RB Bennett Day - July 2nd, 2016

This Saturday, July 2nd, is our 6th Annual RB Bennett Day and this year we're celebrating the 75th Anniversary of Bennett becoming 1st Viscount Bennett, of Mickleham, in the County of Surrey and of Calgary and Hopewell, in the Dominion of Canada. We were extremely lucky to get Dr. Christopher McCreery, co-editor of "The Authentic Voice of Canada, R.B. Bennett Speeches in the House of Lords, 1941-1947", to come and talk on RB Bennett. His book on Bennett fits so well with the theme of this years event. So who is Dr. Christopher McCreery? Here is a brief biography. 

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Dr. Christopher McCreery (Photo from Wikipedia) 

Dr. Christopher McCreery is the Private Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia and the Executive Director of Government House, a position he has held since April of 2009.

One of the Commonwealth’s foremost experts on orders, decorations and medals, Dr. McCreery has served as the advisor to the Federal Government and a number of Provincial and Commonwealth governments on matters related to honours. He has also regularly been consulted on the role of the Crown; reserve powers, protocol and the historical position of the monarchy in Canada.

He holds a doctorate in Canadian political history from Queen’s University, is a fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographic Society, the Royal Heraldry Society of Canada, the Queen’s Centre for the Study of Democracy, is National Historian for St. John Ambulance and is active with a number of other volunteer organizations.

Dr. McCreery’s publications include more than 50 articles and 14 books. In 2010 he was appointed a Member of the Royal Victorian Order by the Queen.

You can read more on his Wikipedia entry here. 

Museum to Celebrate 75th Anniversary of Viscount Bennett's Elevation at 6th Annual RB Bennett Day - July 2

 The RB Bennett Commemorative Centre at the Albert County Museum is hosting the 6th annual RB Bennett Day on Saturday, July 2 in celebration of the only Canadian Prime Minister from New Brunswick. Located in Hopewell Cape at 3940 Route 114, just before the famous Hopewell Rocks, activities begin in the morning with the weekly Farmers and Crafters Market and continues with activities planned throughout the day. With the feature presentation at 2pm by noted historian and current Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia, Dr. Christopher McCreery.

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75 years ago on July 23, 1941, Richard Bedford Bennett, Canada's 11th Prime Minister was elevated into the British House of Lords as the 1st Viscount Bennett, of Mickleham, in the County of Surrey and of Calgary and Hopewell, in the Dominion of Canada. In honour of this momentous occasion, Dr. Christopher McCreery, editor of the recently published book “The Authentic Voice of Canada: R.B. Bennett in the House of Lords.” will speak on Bennett.

The Centre will also offer a presentation on Bennett's rise to the peerage, with notable artefacts on hand from Bennett himself, including his gifts to the Garter King at Arms, Sir Gerald W. Wollaston K.C.B., K.C.V.O. a large impressive silver salver and sterling cigarette case. In addition to these the museum will bring to life the elevation ceremony, through a visual media presentation.

Directly following the activities, the annual birthday cake will be served celebrating RB Bennett's 146th Birthday (July 3, 1870).

The Farmer's Market & Breakfast is from 9am-1pm. Family oriented games and activities will be hosted the whole day (9:30am to 4pm). The main presentations will begin at 2pm followed by cake and homemade ice-cream.

The museum will offer free admission during the day to see all the displays and interactive exhibits.