Richard Bedford Bennett - biography.

Richard Bedford Bennett - biography. 11th prime minister of Canada Birth July 3, 1870 Death June 26, 1947 Place of Birth Hopewell Hill, New Brunswick Constituencies Calgary, Alberta (1911-1917) Calgary West, Alberta (1925-1938) Political Party Conservative Term 1930-1935 Significant Acts Accepted the 1931 Statute of Westminster, which gave Canada legislative equality with Britain and established the Commonwealth of Nations Organized the 1932 Imperial Economic Conference in Ottawa Created the Canadian Radio Broadcasting Commission in 1932, which preceded the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation Established the Bank of Canada in 1935 Introduced statutes on social legislation, in the style of President Roosevelt's New Deal programs and policies Career 1898-1905 Served as a member of the assembly of the Northwest Territories 1909-1911 Served as a member of the Alberta provincial legislature 1911 Won election to the Canadian Parliament 1921 Became minister of justice and attorney general 1926, 1930-1932 Served as minister of finance 1927-1938 Led the Conservative Party 1930 Won election as prime minister 1930-1935 Served as minister of external affairs Did You Know After retiring from Canadian politics, Bennett moved to England, and in 1941 was made a viscount and a member of the British House of Lords. Bennett was a very wealthy businessman and a lifelong bachelor. Bennett is buried in England; he is the only Canadian prime minister not buried in Canada. Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.