The W.A.C. Bennett ministry was the combined Cabinet (formally the Executive Council of British Columbia) that governed British Columbia from August 1, 1952, to September 15, 1972. It was led by W. A. C. Bennett, the 25th premier of British Columbia, and consisted of members of the Social Credit Party.
The W.A.C. Bennett ministry was established after the 1952 British Columbia general election when Premier Boss Johnson was defeated in the general election and, following the surprise win of the leaderless Social Credit Party, W.A.C. Bennett was elected as party leader and premier-designate shortly after the general election. The cabinet governed through the 29th Parliament of British Columbia, until the Social Credit Party was defeated in the 1972 British Columbia general election. It was succeeded by the Barrett ministry. This ministry is also the cabinet with the longest duration of governance in the province's history.
List of ministers +W.A.C Bennett ministry by portfolioPortfolioMinisterTenureStartEndPremier of British ColumbiaW.A.C. BennettAugust 1, 1952September 15, 1972Minister of AgricultureWilliam KiernanAugust 1, 1952September 27, 1956Ralph ChetwyndSeptember 27, 1956April 3, 1957VacantApril 3, 1957April 10, 1957Lyle WicksApril 10, 1957April 15, 1957W.A.C. BennettApril 15, 1957September 13, 1957Newton SteacySeptember 13, 1957November 28, 1960Frank RichterNovember 28, 1960May 27, 1968Cyril ShelfordMay 27, 1968September 15, 1972Attorney GeneralRobert BonnerAugust 1, 1952May 27, 1968Leslie PetersonMay 27, 1968September 15, 1972Minister of Conmmercial TransportRalph ChetwyndAugust 1, 1952September 27, 1956Lyle WicksSeptember 27, 1956November 28, 1960Earle WestwoodNovember 28, 1960December 4, 1963William KiernanDecember 4, 1963March 20, 1964Robert BonnerMarch 20, 1964May 27, 1968Frank RichterMay 27, 1968September 15, 1972Minister of EducationTilly RolstonAugust 1, 1952October 12, 1953VacantOctober 12, 1953October 19, 1953Robert BonnerOctober 19, 1953April 14, 1954Ray WillistonApril 14, 1954September 27, 1956Leslie PetersonSeptember 27, 1956May 27, 1968Donald BrothersMay 27, 1968September 15, 1972Minister of FinanceEinar GundersonAugust 1, 1952February 15, 1954W.A.C. BennettFebruary 15, 1954September 15, 1972Minister of Health Services and Hospital InsuranceEric MartinAugust 1, 1952December 12, 1966Wesley BlackDecember 12, 1966May 24, 1968Ralph LoffmarkMay 24, 1968September 15, 1972Minister of HighwaysPhil GaglardiMarch 15, 1955March 21, 1968W.A.C. BennettMarch 21, 1968April 25, 1968Wesley BlackApril 25, 1968September 15, 1972Minister of Industrial Development, Trade and CommerceRalph ChetwyndAugust 1, 1952September 27, 1956Earle WestwoodSeptember 27, 1956March 28, 1957Robert BonnerMarch 28, 1957March 20, 1964Ralph LoffmarkMarch 20, 1964April 25, 1968Waldo SkillingsApril 25, 1968September 15, 1972Minister of LabourLyle WicksAugust 1, 1952November 28, 1960Leslie PetersonNovember 28, 1960April 2, 1971James ChabotApril 2, 1971September 15, 1972Minister of Lands, Forests, Water ResourcesRobert SommersAugust 1, 1952February 28, 1956Ray Gillis WillistonFebruary 28, 1956September 15, 1972Minister of Municipal AffairsWesley BlackAugust 1, 1952March 20, 1964Daniel CampbellMarch 20, 1964September 15, 1972Provincial SecretaryWesley BlackAugust 1, 1952September 15, 1972Minister of Public WorksPhil GaglardiAugust 1, 1952March 15, 1955William ChantMarch 15, 1955September 15, 1972Minister of Recreation and ConservationRalph ChetwyndAugust 1, 1952March 28, 1957Earle WestwoodMarch 28, 1957December 4, 1963William KiernanDecember 4, 1963September 15, 1972Minister of Rehabilitation and Social ImprovementWesley BlackAugust 1, 1952December 12, 1966Daniel Robert John CampbellDecember 12, 1966October 27, 1969Phil GaglardiOctober 27, 1969September 15, 1972Minister of Travel IndustryWilliam KiernanMarch 23, 1967September 15, 1972Minister without PortfolioBuda BrownNovember 28, 1960August 12, 1962Isabel DawsonDecember 12, 1966September 15, 1972Patricia JordanGrace McCarthyPhil GaglardiMarch 21, 1968October 27, 1969
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