Politics
<< RCAF Station Summerside Man? or Woman Power? >>
Regardless of Summerside's suitability for an air force training station (its weather and landscape was much like Europe), politics played a role in its delivery. There was no doubt every part of Canada had someone in Ottawa lobbying for a share of the massive war budget. Who better to have representing your constituency at the table than a cabinet minister? James Layton Ralston, The Minister of Finance, and later Minister of National Defence, served the riding of Prince (Egmont) that included Summerside.

Ralston, a veteran of World War One, had served as Minister of Defence from 1926 to 1930 before leaving politics to resume practicing law in Montreal. When war broke out Prime Minister King requested Ralston to assume the position of Finance Minister in his Liberal government. However, having no seat in the House of Commons, Ralston was invited to accept the Liberal nomination for Prince left vacant by the death of the sitting member. Even the Conservatives saw the benefits of the move and Ralston, who was sought after by four other constituencies, was elected by acclamation in a by-election. He only held his seat in Parliament for two and a half hours before a general election was called. He easily won the election in Prince and went on to serve Summerside, Prince County, and his country until he resigned in 1944 over the issue of conscription.
Things To Do!!!
  • Hold a class election, but follow two formats. In the first instance have two candidates seeking the party nomination. Let each of them speak as to why they would be the best person for the job and have the class vote for their choice. In the second instance have a core group chose a candidate and then explain to the class why their vote will not be counted.
  • Summerside and Prince County were well served politically and economically by Ralston but was democracy well served?
  • Do you think there are many instances today of nominations being controlled or influenced in this manner? Point to recent occurrences in Canadian history.
    •   Ralston brought four military installations to Prince County. Besides RCAF Station Summerside there was the Tignish Radar Base, The Mount Pleasant Bombing and Gunnery School, and the emergency landing field in Wellington. There was a target field on Hog Island in Malpeque Bay. Cattle were grazed on the Island during the summer. They often stood in front of the target so the training pilots, who were not supposed to return to base with their ammunition, would drop it in the bay.