Gordon Higgins
Encyclopedia
Gordon Francis Higgins (born October 8, 1905 in St. John's, Newfoundland
— died October 13, 1957 in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
) is a former Canadian
politician, who represented the electoral district
of St. John's East
in the Canadian House of Commons
from 1949 to 1953. He was a member of the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada
.
Son of William J. Higgins
, Higgins was educated at St. Bonaventure College
and was called to the Bar in January, 1931. In 1946 he was voted by the St. John's East district to become one of the three persons to represent that area at the Newfoundland National Convention
. An anti-Confederated, he was sent to Ottawa in June 1947 as part of the group to identify options to join Canada. Unconvinced he advocated for Responsible Government during the referendums of 1948
.
When Newfoundland and Labrador did join Canada, Higgins contested the district of St. John's East for the Progressive Conservative Party, which he won and became one of the first seven Newfoundland members in the House of Commons. His sentiments was strong against confederation which was articulated by his speech to the House of Commons on March 6, 1950 where it says in part regarding transportation freight rates "if this agreement is not honoured by cabinet, I am resigning from this house and I am going back to Newfoundland where I shall endeavour, by all possible means, to have the province of Newfoundland secede from Confederation".
Higgins was an active community member where he served on many organizations:
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
St. John's is the capital and largest city in Newfoundland and Labrador, and is the oldest English-founded city in North America. It is located on the eastern tip of the Avalon Peninsula on the island of Newfoundland. With a population of 192,326 as of July 1, 2010, the St...
— died October 13, 1957 in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador is the easternmost province of Canada. Situated in the country's Atlantic region, it incorporates the island of Newfoundland and mainland Labrador with a combined area of . As of April 2011, the province's estimated population is 508,400...
) is a former Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
politician, who represented the electoral district
Electoral district (Canada)
An electoral district in Canada, also known as a constituency or a riding, is a geographical constituency upon which Canada's representative democracy is based...
of St. John's East
St. John's East
St. John's East is a federal electoral district in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, that has been represented in the Canadian House of Commons since 1949....
in the Canadian House of Commons
Canadian House of Commons
The House of Commons of Canada is a component of the Parliament of Canada, along with the Sovereign and the Senate. The House of Commons is a democratically elected body, consisting of 308 members known as Members of Parliament...
from 1949 to 1953. He was a member of the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada
Progressive Conservative Party of Canada
The Progressive Conservative Party of Canada was a Canadian political party with a centre-right stance on economic issues and, after the 1970s, a centrist stance on social issues....
.
Son of William J. Higgins
William J. Higgins
William John Higgins was a lawyer, judge and political figure in Newfoundland. He represented St. John's East in the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly from 1913 to 1928 as a member of the Newfoundland People's Party, Liberal Progressive party, Liberal-Labour-Progressive party and the...
, Higgins was educated at St. Bonaventure College
Saint Bonaventure's College
St. Bonaventure's College is an independent kindergarten to grade 12 Catholic School in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. It is located in the historic centre of North America's oldest city, adjacent to the Roman Catholic Basilica of St...
and was called to the Bar in January, 1931. In 1946 he was voted by the St. John's East district to become one of the three persons to represent that area at the Newfoundland National Convention
Newfoundland National Convention
The Newfoundland National Convention of 1946 was a forum established to decide the constitutional future of Newfoundland-Nominations:On 11 December 1945 the Government of Britain announced that there would be an election to a National Convention, which would debate constitutional options and make a...
. An anti-Confederated, he was sent to Ottawa in June 1947 as part of the group to identify options to join Canada. Unconvinced he advocated for Responsible Government during the referendums of 1948
Newfoundland referendums, 1948
The Newfoundland Referendums of 1948 were a series of two referendums to decide the political future of the Dominion of Newfoundland. Before the referendums, Newfoundland was in debt and went through several delegations to determine whether the country would join Canada, remain under British rule...
.
When Newfoundland and Labrador did join Canada, Higgins contested the district of St. John's East for the Progressive Conservative Party, which he won and became one of the first seven Newfoundland members in the House of Commons. His sentiments was strong against confederation which was articulated by his speech to the House of Commons on March 6, 1950 where it says in part regarding transportation freight rates "if this agreement is not honoured by cabinet, I am resigning from this house and I am going back to Newfoundland where I shall endeavour, by all possible means, to have the province of Newfoundland secede from Confederation".
Higgins was an active community member where he served on many organizations:
- President, St. John's Amateur Athletic Association (1930 - 1950)
- First President, Newfoundland Tuberculosis Association (1944 - 1951)
- Awarded an Order of the British EmpireOrder of the British EmpireThe Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
, March 26, 1949 - President, Newfoundland Seaman's Association
- St. John's Royal RegattaRoyal St. John's RegattaThe Royal St. John's Regatta is North America's oldest annual sporting event with documented proof of 1816 boat races. There is credible contention that St. John's regattas were held even earlier than 1816, likely in the 18th century....
Committee - St. John's Rotary Club
- President, Benevolent Irish SocietyBenevolent Irish SocietyThe Benevolent Irish Society is a philanthropic organization founded on 17 February 1806, a month before the Feast of St. Patrick, in St. John's, Newfoundland. It is the oldest philanthropic organization in North America. Membership is open to adult residents of Newfoundland who are of Irish birth...
(1942 - 1954)