After the 1941 election, the Liberal Party lost its majority in the Legislature.[2] Pattullo faced calls to form a coalition government with the Conservative Party, including from within his own party, but opted instead to form a minority government.[3] His new cabinet was sworn in on November 14.[4] However, at the party's annual convention on December 3, delegates voted to establish a coalition government. Pattullo then resigned, and the convention elected John Hart, who endorsed a coalition, as leader.[5] The next day, Pattullo announced his resignation as premier, and Hart invited Royal Maitland, the Conservative leader, to join a coalition.[6] The Pattullo ministry was thus disestablished and replaced by the Hart ministry on December 9, 1941.[7]
A wave of resignations followed Pattullo's declaration of a minority government. On November 15, George Sharratt Pearson resigned from cabinet in protest. Pearson's resignation surprised Pattullo; the Vancouver Sun noted "never before had one of his cabinet gone against him so willfully".[8] Two days later, on November 17, Finance Minister John Hart stepped down over the coalition issue as well.[9] They were followed, on November 19, by Norman William Whittaker, who cited Hart and Pearson's resignations as evidence of Pattullo's crumbling support and authority.[10] Finally, K. C. MacDonald announced his resignation on November 20.[11] During this period, Pattullo took over the portfolios of education, finance[12] and attorney general himself.[13]
New ministries
On February 20, 1934, the government announced plans to establish a separate Department of Municipal Affairs.[14]Wells Gray was sworn in as the inaugural minister on March 31, 1934.[15]
On September 11, 1937, Pattullo announced plans to establish a Department of Trade and Industry, amalgamating the existing Department of Industries with the BC Economic Council and Bureau of Provincial Information.[16]William James Asselstine was named Minister of Trade and Industry as well as taking over as Minister of Mines, effectively combining administration of the two portfolios, on December 23, 1937.[17]
Notes
^"Industries" from November 15, 1933 to December 1, 1933.
References
^"Thirty Liberals Elected; Tolmie Group Crushed; C.C.F. To Be Opposition". Vancouver Daily Province. November 3, 1933. pp. A1.
^"B.C. Election Stalemated, Coalition Cabinet Expected". Victoria Daily Times. October 22, 1941. pp. A1.
^"'We Elected The Largest Group'". Vancouver Sun. November 15, 1941. pp. A1.
^"Pattullo's 'Double-Shuffle'; Lieut.-Governor Swears-in Four Ministers". Vancouver Sun. November 15, 1941. pp. A1.
^Nesbitt, J.K. (December 3, 1941). "Liberals Vote for Coalition 477 to 312, Hart Succeeds Pattullo as Liberal Chief". Victoria Daily Times. pp. A13.
^"House to Recess So Hart, Maitland Can Set Up Gov't". Vancouver Sun. December 4, 1941. pp. A1.
^Hutchinson, Bruce (December 3, 1941). "New 8-Man B.C. Cabinet Announced". Vancouver Sun. pp. A1, A10.
^"Pearson's Action Put Skids Under Pattullo". Vancouver Sun. November 15, 1941. pp. A6.
^"Hart Resigns and Pattullo Becomes Finance Minister". Vancouver Sun. November 17, 1941. pp. A1 –A2.
^"Whittaker Quits, Macdonald Still In". Victoria Daily Times. November 19, 1941. pp. AA.
^"MacDonald Resigns as Pattullo's Ministry Still Dwindles". Vancouver Daily Province. November 17, 1941. pp. A1.
^"John Hart Quits Cabinet: Pattullo Takes Over Both His And Weir Post". Vancouver Sun. November 17, 1941. pp. A1.
^"Pattullo Sworn as Attorney General". Vancouver Sun. November 24, 1941. pp. A1.
^"Finance Problem Stressed In Speech From Throne". Nanaimo Daily News. March 31, 1934. pp. A1.
^"Minister Sworn In: Hon. A. Wells Gray Becomes Head of Two Depts". Vancouver Sun. March 31, 1934. pp. A1.
^"Draft Bill On New Department: Trade, Industry and Tourists to Be Combined in New B.C. Portfolio". Victoria Daily Times. September 11, 1937. pp. A1.
