Albert Robertson
Encyclopedia
Albert John Robertson was a politician from Alberta
, Canada, and the first Leader of the Opposition in the province's history. He led the Conservatives
in the Legislative Assembly of Alberta
from 1905 to 1909, before being defeated in the 1909 election
.
for several years, he was still regarded as a newcomer when he was selected as the Conservative
candidate in the district of High River
for the 1905 Alberta provincial election
. He had what the Calgary Herald
described as "extensive farming operations near Nanton" and was the general manager of Nanton Grain & Lumber.
Robertson won a close race against Liberal
candidate Richard Alfred Wallace
; final results took more than a month to come in, and until they did the candidates traded the unofficial lead. He was one of only two Conservatives elected to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta
, along with Cornelius Hiebert
. As Conservative leader R. B. Bennett
was defeated in the election, Robertson led the two person opposition against Alexander Cameron Rutherford
's Liberal government, which controlled the rest of the 25-seat assembly.
As opposition leader, Robertson was vocal in his criticisms of Rutherford and his government. He objected to the Liberal-imposed terms under which Alberta had entered Confederation, which included a requirement that Alberta's provincial government provide public funding to Roman Catholic separate school
s and control over Alberta's natural resources being left with the federal government. He called for public ownership of the telephone system and railways at a time when the government's policy was to leave both under the control of the private sector. He also demanded that the government reveal its position on a permanent capital for the province—Edmonton
had been fixed as interim capital, with the choice of final capital to take place after the first provincial election, and the government was trying to avoid taking a position that might offend many Albertans' regional sensibilities. When the legislature established new electoral boundaries, Robertson objected to provisions giving Edmonton and Calgary
two seats each, and argued that the maximum time between elections—five years—was too long.
Thomas was handicapped in his efforts by several factors. First, the Liberal majority was such that it was difficult for a two member opposition to make itself heard, and more difficult still to have any tangible effect. Second, much of the government's legislation was of an uncontroversial variety, establishing the government institutions necessary for any new province. Third, Hiebert had little interest in partisan politics, and sided increasingly with the government; he eventually left the Conservative Party and unsuccessfully sought re-election as an independent
. Despite Robertson's best efforts, the Conservatives declined to make his leadership permanent, opting instead to go into the 1909 election
effectively leaderless.
Robertson himself sought re-election in the new district of Nanton, where he was defeated by Liberal John M. Glendenning
.
, but it dissolved in 1913 when, more than fifty years old, he went to study the law. He completed his studies in 1917, and was admitted to the bar the next year, after which he practiced law in Three Hills
.
In the 1913 provincial election
, Robertson ran again, in the district of Hand Hills. He was once again defeated, this time by Liberal candidate Robert Eaton
.
Alberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
, Canada, and the first Leader of the Opposition in the province's history. He led the Conservatives
Progressive Conservative Association of Alberta
The Progressive Conservative Association of Alberta is a provincial centre-right party in the Canadian province of Alberta...
in the Legislative Assembly of Alberta
Legislative Assembly of Alberta
The Legislative Assembly of Alberta is one of two components of the Legislature of Alberta, the other being the Queen, represented by the Lieutenant-Governor of Alberta. The Alberta legislature meets in the Alberta Legislature Building in the provincial capital, Edmonton...
from 1905 to 1909, before being defeated in the 1909 election
Alberta general election, 1909
The Alberta general election was 1909 was the second general election for the Province of Alberta, Canada. It was held on 22 March 1909 to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta....
.
Political career
Though he had lived in Nanton, AlbertaNanton, Alberta
Nanton is a town in southern Alberta, Canada. Nanton was named after Sir Augustus Meredith Nanton, of Winnipeg who directed firms that offered financing for farms and ranches throughout the west...
for several years, he was still regarded as a newcomer when he was selected as the Conservative
Progressive Conservative Association of Alberta
The Progressive Conservative Association of Alberta is a provincial centre-right party in the Canadian province of Alberta...
candidate in the district of High River
High River (provincial electoral district)
High River is a former provincial electoral district in Alberta that existed from 1905 to 1930.-1905 general election:-External links:*...
for the 1905 Alberta provincial election
Alberta general election, 1905
The Alberta general election of 1905 was the first general election held in the Province of Alberta, Canada. It was held on 9 November 1905, to elect members of the Alberta legislature to the 1st Alberta Legislative Assembly, shortly after the province was created out of the Northwest Territories...
. He had what the Calgary Herald
Calgary Herald
The Calgary Herald is a daily newspaper published in the Canadian city of Calgary, Alberta.- History :The paper was first published on August 31, 1883 by Andrew Armour and Thomas Braden as The Calgary Herald, Mining and Ranche Advocate and General Advertiser. It started as a weekly paper with only...
described as "extensive farming operations near Nanton" and was the general manager of Nanton Grain & Lumber.
Robertson won a close race against Liberal
Alberta Liberal Party
The Alberta Liberal Party is a provincial political party in Alberta, Canada. Originally founded in 1905, when the province was created, it was the dominant political party until 1921 when it was defeated. It has never been in government since that time...
candidate Richard Alfred Wallace
Richard Alfred Wallace
Richard Alfred Wallace was a Canadian teacher, cook, farmer and politician on the municipal and territorial level....
; final results took more than a month to come in, and until they did the candidates traded the unofficial lead. He was one of only two Conservatives elected to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta
Legislative Assembly of Alberta
The Legislative Assembly of Alberta is one of two components of the Legislature of Alberta, the other being the Queen, represented by the Lieutenant-Governor of Alberta. The Alberta legislature meets in the Alberta Legislature Building in the provincial capital, Edmonton...
, along with Cornelius Hiebert
Cornelius Hiebert
Cornelius "Don" Hiebert was a politician from Alberta, Canada.-Early life:Hiebert was born in Sea of Azov, Russia and lived in Russia and attended school until he was 13 years old, when his family moved to Manitoba, Canada. He worked in a little general store until he decided to move to Didsbury,...
. As Conservative leader R. B. Bennett
R. B. Bennett
Richard Bedford Bennett, 1st Viscount Bennett, PC, KC was a Canadian lawyer, businessman, politician, and philanthropist. He served as the 11th Prime Minister of Canada from August 7, 1930, to October 23, 1935, during the worst of the Great Depression years...
was defeated in the election, Robertson led the two person opposition against Alexander Cameron Rutherford
Alexander Cameron Rutherford
Alexander Cameron Rutherford was a Canadian lawyer and politician who served as the first Premier of Alberta from 1905 to 1910. Born in Ormond, Ontario, he studied and practised law in Ottawa before moving with his family to the Northwest Territories in 1895...
's Liberal government, which controlled the rest of the 25-seat assembly.
As opposition leader, Robertson was vocal in his criticisms of Rutherford and his government. He objected to the Liberal-imposed terms under which Alberta had entered Confederation, which included a requirement that Alberta's provincial government provide public funding to Roman Catholic separate school
Separate school
In Canada, separate school refers to a particular type of school that has constitutional status in three provinces and statutory status in three territories...
s and control over Alberta's natural resources being left with the federal government. He called for public ownership of the telephone system and railways at a time when the government's policy was to leave both under the control of the private sector. He also demanded that the government reveal its position on a permanent capital for the province—Edmonton
Edmonton
Edmonton is the capital of the Canadian province of Alberta and is the province's second-largest city. Edmonton is located on the North Saskatchewan River and is the centre of the Edmonton Capital Region, which is surrounded by the central region of the province.The city and its census...
had been fixed as interim capital, with the choice of final capital to take place after the first provincial election, and the government was trying to avoid taking a position that might offend many Albertans' regional sensibilities. When the legislature established new electoral boundaries, Robertson objected to provisions giving Edmonton and Calgary
Calgary
Calgary is a city in the Province of Alberta, Canada. It is located in the south of the province, in an area of foothills and prairie, approximately east of the front ranges of the Canadian Rockies...
two seats each, and argued that the maximum time between elections—five years—was too long.
Thomas was handicapped in his efforts by several factors. First, the Liberal majority was such that it was difficult for a two member opposition to make itself heard, and more difficult still to have any tangible effect. Second, much of the government's legislation was of an uncontroversial variety, establishing the government institutions necessary for any new province. Third, Hiebert had little interest in partisan politics, and sided increasingly with the government; he eventually left the Conservative Party and unsuccessfully sought re-election as an independent
Independent (politician)
In politics, an independent or non-party politician is an individual not affiliated to any political party. Independents may hold a centrist viewpoint between those of major political parties, a viewpoint more extreme than any major party, or they may have a viewpoint based on issues that they do...
. Despite Robertson's best efforts, the Conservatives declined to make his leadership permanent, opting instead to go into the 1909 election
Alberta general election, 1909
The Alberta general election was 1909 was the second general election for the Province of Alberta, Canada. It was held on 22 March 1909 to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta....
effectively leaderless.
Robertson himself sought re-election in the new district of Nanton, where he was defeated by Liberal John M. Glendenning
John M. Glendenning
John Murray Glendenning was a politician from Alberta, Canada.Glendenning first ran for a seat to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta in the 1909 Alberta general election in the new Nanton electoral district...
.
After leaving office
For a time, Robertson was a partner in the Hanna Realty Company—Robertson, Trenaman and Stirling in HannaHanna, Alberta
Hanna is a town in east-central Alberta, Canada.The town's main industries are agriculture, oil production, tourism, and coal mining. It is the centre of a large trading area called Short Grass County and is the home of approximately 200 businesses...
, but it dissolved in 1913 when, more than fifty years old, he went to study the law. He completed his studies in 1917, and was admitted to the bar the next year, after which he practiced law in Three Hills
Three Hills, Alberta
Three Hills is a town located in the southern part of the province of Alberta, Canada. It is so named because of the three highly visible hills that are situated to its north.-History:...
.
In the 1913 provincial election
Alberta general election, 1913
The Alberta general election of 1913 was the third general election for the Province of Alberta, Canada. The writ was dropped on 25 March 1913 and election day was held 17 April 1913 to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta. Elections in two northern districts took place on 30 July...
, Robertson ran again, in the district of Hand Hills. He was once again defeated, this time by Liberal candidate Robert Eaton
Robert Eaton (politician)
Robert Barry Eaton was a farmer, service man and provincial politician from Alberta, Canada. He served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta from 1913 to 1921.-Political career:...
.
Electoral record
| 1913 Alberta general election Alberta general election, 1913 The Alberta general election of 1913 was the third general election for the Province of Alberta, Canada. The writ was dropped on 25 March 1913 and election day was held 17 April 1913 to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta. Elections in two northern districts took place on 30 July... results (Hand Hills) |
Turnout N.A. | |||
| Liberal Alberta Liberal Party The Alberta Liberal Party is a provincial political party in Alberta, Canada. Originally founded in 1905, when the province was created, it was the dominant political party until 1921 when it was defeated. It has never been in government since that time... |
Robert Eaton Robert Eaton (politician) Robert Barry Eaton was a farmer, service man and provincial politician from Alberta, Canada. He served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta from 1913 to 1921.-Political career:... |
421 | 53.36% |
Conservative | Albert Robertson | 363 | 46.64% |
| 1909 Alberta general election Alberta general election, 1909 The Alberta general election was 1909 was the second general election for the Province of Alberta, Canada. It was held on 22 March 1909 to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta.... results (Nanton) |
Turnout N.A. | |||
| Liberal Alberta Liberal Party The Alberta Liberal Party is a provincial political party in Alberta, Canada. Originally founded in 1905, when the province was created, it was the dominant political party until 1921 when it was defeated. It has never been in government since that time... |
John M. Glendenning John M. Glendenning John Murray Glendenning was a politician from Alberta, Canada.Glendenning first ran for a seat to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta in the 1909 Alberta general election in the new Nanton electoral district... |
439 | 54.88% |
Conservative | Albert Robertson | 361 | 45.13% |
| 1905 Alberta general election Alberta general election, 1905 The Alberta general election of 1905 was the first general election held in the Province of Alberta, Canada. It was held on 9 November 1905, to elect members of the Alberta legislature to the 1st Alberta Legislative Assembly, shortly after the province was created out of the Northwest Territories... results (High River High River (provincial electoral district) High River is a former provincial electoral district in Alberta that existed from 1905 to 1930.-1905 general election:-External links:*... ) |
Turnout N.A. | |||
| Conservative | Albert Robertson | 578 | 43.95% |
Liberal Alberta Liberal Party The Alberta Liberal Party is a provincial political party in Alberta, Canada. Originally founded in 1905, when the province was created, it was the dominant political party until 1921 when it was defeated. It has never been in government since that time... |
Richard Alfred Wallace Richard Alfred Wallace Richard Alfred Wallace was a Canadian teacher, cook, farmer and politician on the municipal and territorial level.... |
555 | 42.21% |
Independent Independent (politician) In politics, an independent or non-party politician is an individual not affiliated to any political party. Independents may hold a centrist viewpoint between those of major political parties, a viewpoint more extreme than any major party, or they may have a viewpoint based on issues that they do... |
Wilford B. Thorne | 182 | 13.84% |