December 11, 1942
Winnipeg Civic Auditorium
Chairs: H.R. Milner and Ivan Sabourin
Arthur Meighen returned as leader in 1941 following Robert Manion’s resignation the previous year, but planned to retire. A convention was announced in late-September to consider “the whole subject of leadership and policy.”
THE CONTENDERS
John Bracken, the Progressive premier of Manitoba since 1922, was recruited by Tory heavyweights to move to federal politics – despite never being a party member. His name had appeared in press accounts for months as a possible replacement for Meighen.
The Vancouver Sun reported in early December that Bracken’s leadership was “in the bag” after a party steering committee (including Meighen) visited Winnipeg and assured him of support from delegates at the expense of other hopefuls.
THE CONVENTION
About 900 delegates arrived in Winnipeg. Only three delegates were sent from each riding because of wartime travel restrictions.
The B.C. contingent was seen to be most opposed to Bracken, according to media reports.
This followed an informal September conference in Port Hope, Ont. that attracted about 150 Conservatives -- but zero MPs -- and called for more progressive policies (and conscription). Many would be adopted at the full Winnipeg convention.
Four separate committees debated policy: war, post-war security and economic measures, labour, and agriculture.
Bracken presented 14 objectives, including.
- access to jobs and fair pay
- fairness for farmers
- unemployment, sickness, old age, accident security
- efficient government
- a future of peace
- fewer trade barriers
- better federal-provincial fiscal relations to ensure minimum standards
Each candidate had 20 minutes, with an additional 10 minutes each for a mover and seconder.
Green collapsed five minutes into his speech and had to be carried off, according to the Saskatoon Star-Phoenix. He recovered by the following morning.
More than 1,000 policy ideas were sent to the convention. Progressive resolutions passed on war measures, veteran employment social security, farming, health, natural resources, a national labour relations board, and resources for soldiers.
Conservatives also struck a committee to examine electoral reform, with the chairman stating the party would have more MPs with proportional representation.
A “Conservative Creed” passed with four tenets: freedom, security, opportunity, and British partnership
THE VOTE
Green and Stevens both withdrew after the first ballot left Bracken just 16 votes short of victory.
MacPherson and Diefenbaker appeared ready to also stand down but supporters convinced them to remain for another ballot.
Bracken said the party’s agricultural policies attracted him to the job. “I want to work out such a program for the future as will give to the youth of this country, as well as to the middle-aged and the old of every race and creed and economic group, ample justification for a militant faith in which we stand for.”
The convention ended with a vote to change the party’s name to “Progressive Conservative,” as per Bracken’s desire before even agreeing to stand for leader.
A letter from Bracken, read aloud two days prior, stated:
“I believe that my action in allowing my name to be considered for the leadership would not be misunderstood among my friends and those who think like them across Canada if the party became generally recognized as national progressive movement and were not afraid to be recognized as such. If, therefore, the convention were prepared to give visible evidence of its progressive intent by association of these two names, Progressive and Conservatives, I would be willing to become a candidate for the leadership.”
There was anger as many delegates felt “railroaded by a pre-arranged decision by a small élite within the party,” according to Bracken biographer John Kendle.
There was opposition to making the change before a new leader was elected, with many speakers against at the start of the convention and calling it an ultimatum from the Manitoba premier.
Bracken said it was best for the party as a whole.
More:
- About 200 of the delegates were women. Newspaper representatives were not included as ex-officio delegates, as had been the case in 1927 and 1938.
- Bracken did not run in a by-election for a vacant Manitoba seat as expected. He was not inside the House of Commons as opposition leader until 1945, when he was victorious in Neepawa, Man. Richard Hanson and Gordon Graydon filled the role in the interim.
- Meighen’s farewell speech accused the government of conspiring to keep the convention’s proceedings off radio airwaves.
- Bracken’s nomination papers were filed at the convention with only seconds to spare, according to The Canadian Press. Bracken initially forgot to add his signature, noticed by a supporter at the last minute.
- The total cost was estimated between $14,000 and $16,000.
