Article

Hugh John Flemming

Published Online February 14, 2008

Last Edited December 15, 2013

Hugh John Flemming, lumberman, politician, premier of NB (b at Peel, NB 5 Jan 1899; d at Fredericton 16 Oct 1982). Elected in 1921 as a municipal councillor for Carleton, Flemming became Conservative Member of Legislative Assembly for Carleton in 1944.

Flemming, Hugh John

Hugh John Flemming, lumberman, politician, premier of NB (b at Peel, NB 5 Jan 1899; d at Fredericton 16 Oct 1982). Elected in 1921 as a municipal councillor for Carleton, Flemming became Conservative Member of Legislative Assembly for Carleton in 1944. In 1951 he was selected Conservative leader; he led the party to victory in 1952, ending 17 years of Liberal government. He served as premier 1952-60 and also as minister of public works and minister of municipal affairs, modernizing NB's hydroelectric system through construction of the Beechwood complex. His government was defeated over hospital taxes. Named federal minister of forestry in 1960 by Prime Minister John Diefenbaker, he sat for Royal. In 1962 he was elected Member of Parliament for Victoria-Carleton and appointed minister of national revenue. He continued as MP until 1972 and served on the Atlantic Development Board.