Political Response to the Depression

Liberal Prime Minister during the onset of the Depression.
Viewed the Depression as a typical phase of the business cycle; therefore, he had limited concerns.
Provided no assistance to non-Liberal Provinces, maintaining a partisan stance.
Focused on balancing the budget and implemented cuts to some simple taxes.
Sought to protect Canadian businesses from foreign imports rather than initiating active recovery measures.
Adopted a passively optimistic wait-and-see approach to the economic crisis.

Millionaire bachelor, presented himself as an alternative to Mackenzie King.
Promised decisive action with a confident tone to rally public support.
Advocated for funding provincial public works and relief programs to combat unemployment.
Introduced subsidized freight rates for farmers to aid agricultural producers.
Attempted to establish preferential trade conditions with the United States, which turned out to be largely ignored by American policymakers.
Initially hesitant to embrace, but later acknowledged the ideas of Keynesian economics, which advocate for active government intervention to stimulate economic growth.

A prominent British economist who argued for government intervention in the economy.
Proposed that in situations of inadequate private demand, governments should engage in significant spending, even if it means incurring massive debt.
Believed that once a recovery occurs, the increased government revenues during economic growth would allow for the repayment of the incurred debts.
His theories became foundational in modern macroeconomic policy and are often referred to as Keynesian economics.

Advocated that capitalism inherently generates conflict between social classes, specifically between the wealthy (bourgeoisie) and the working class (proletariat).
Predicted that the proletariat would eventually rise and overthrow the bourgeoisie, abolishing private property and class divisions.
Pointed to the USSR as a functioning alternative, asserting that it had eliminated depressions through enforced equality, albeit leading to a uniformly low standard of living.
Called for a revolutionary approach to change the socio-economic system in Canada.

A socialist political movement formed partly in reaction to the issues of the Depression, distinct from communism.
Emphasized the need for labor to have a significant voice in national affairs and decision-making processes.
Blamed the crisis on the excessive power of large banks and corporations, advocating for more governmental control to protect workers.
Influentially led by James Woodsworth, who sought to mobilize public support for social reforms.

Leader of the Social Credit party in Alberta; a former preacher with a unique economic approach.
Proposed that the government should create credit to generate new money for distribution among Canadians, with the aim of stimulating economic activity.
Elected to provincial government, attempted to pass laws that fell under federal jurisdiction, drawing criticism for overstepping powers.
Expressed grievances against the Ottawa government, believing central Canada was responsible for the economic struggles in the West, a sentiment that continues to resonate in Western Canadian politics today.

Became a prominent political figure among rural French-speaking citizens in Quebec, acting as a response to English capitalist interests.
Mobilized support from the Roman Catholic Church, which feared a drift towards communist ideologies, thus aiding in his removal of the Liberal government in Quebec.
Promoted a message of reform and change but repeatedly failed to enact substantive reforms during his tenure.
His administration was marked by significant corruption, benefiting from the support of Protestant English elites and the Church to maintain power for years.
His actions ultimately contributed to the emergence of the Quiet Revolution and growing separatism feelings within Quebec society.