John Hart

John Hart, financier, politician, premier of BC 1941-47 (b at Mohill, Ire 31 Mar 1879; d at Victoria 7 Apr 1957). Arriving in Victoria in 1898, Hart worked in a financial firm before founding his own business, Gillespie, Hart and Co, in 1909. Elected a Liberal MLA for Victoria in 1916, and never defeated, he served as "almost a perpetual finance minister" from 1917 until 1949, except for the years 1924-33 when he retired from politics for business reasons.

On 9 Dec 1941 Hart became Liberal premier of a coalition government, a position he held until he retired in 1947. He resumed a career in private business shortly after. During his term as the province's 23rd premier the BC Power Commission was established to undertake rural electrification and a program of highway construction was begun, including the Hart Hwy from Prince George to Dawson Creek.

Author PATRICIA E. ROY

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