George Hoadley (politician)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

George Hoadley (born: 1866 - died: 1955) was a long serving popular provincial politician and rancher from Alberta, Canada. Hoadley served a legendary career in the Alberta legislature during the early years when he led the Alberta Conservative Party in opposition and his effect in shaping policy in the province is widely remembered to this day as he served a broad range of portfolios during his years in the United Farmers government.

Contents 1 Early political career 2 Opposition leader 3 Switch to government 4 Sexual sterilization 5 Defeat 6 References 7 External links

[edit] Early political career

Hoadley first ran for public office in the 1902 Northwest Territories general election. He was defeated in the High River electoral district by Richard Wallace

Hoadley would run again for the a seat in the Alberta Legislature seven years later. He won his seat in 1909 Alberta general election in the newly created electoral district of Okotoks. Hoadley won a hotly contested and very close election against Liberal candidate M. McHardy. He would serve his first term in the Legislative Assembly in the opposition Conservative caucus.

Hoadley sought a second term in office standing for re-election in the 1913 Alberta general election. He retained his seat increasing his margin of victory.

Hoadley would be re-elected to a third term in office again with increased plurality in the 1917 Alberta general election. His third term would see him assume the reigns as the Conservative Party leader and become Leader of the Official Opposition.

[edit] Opposition leader

Hoadley having been one of the most senior Conservative MLAs led the Alberta Conservative Party and became leader of His Majesty's Loyal Opposition in Alberta for 3 years assuming the party's leadership from Edward Michener in 1917.

[edit] Switch to government

Hoadley switched party affiliations in 1920 resigning from his position as leader of the Conservatives crossing the floor to the unproven United Farmers of Alberta political party. The switch came after the United Farmers won a by-election in the Claresholm district in 1919.

Hoadley would stand for re-election in his Okotoks district under the United Farmer banner, and be re-elected. The switch in parties had worked to his favor and he was the only member from the Conservative caucus that had kept his seat in that election. Hoadley retained his seat in a landslide victory, his largest to that point in his career.

Hoadley's prior years of experience in the legislature made him a very valuable asset to the new government and he was sworn into his first cabinet post. Hoadley was given the Minister of Agriculture portfolio in the new United Farmers government by Premier Herbert Greenfield

[edit] Sexual sterilization

Hoadley was one of the primary architects behind the Sexual Sterilization Act one of the most controversial pieces of legislation in Alberta history. ^[1]

[edit] Defeat

With the United Farmers of Alberta sagging in popular support in the midst of the Great Depression, Hoadley attempted to run for a record 7th term in office. When the returns of the 1935 Alberta general election had come in Hoadley in his Okotoks riding that he had held since its inception in 1909. The result of the vote had him defeated in a landslide. The plurality Social Credit candidate William Morrison was just over 2000 votes, putting Hoadley a distant second place in the standings out of four candidates. His record 26 year straight career in the legislature came to an end.

The town of Hoadley, Alberta was named in his honor. ^[2] In addition to the town the Hoadley Post Office in Haverigg, Alberta was also re-named in his honor in 1924. ^[3]

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Legislative Assembly of Alberta Members Listing

Legislative Assembly of Alberta
Preceded by New District	MLA Okotoks 1909–1930	Succeeded by District Abolished
Preceded by New District	MLA Okotoks-High River 1930–1935	Succeeded by William Morrison
Preceded by Edward Michener	Leader of the Official Opposition in Alberta 1917–1920	Succeeded by James Ramsey