Alvin Hamilton

Career

An enthusiastic supporter of the Diefenbaker government's "Northern Vision" and an idea man in Cabinet, Hamilton was also a spokesman for Western agriculture. After numerous defeats, he was elected to Parliament for Qu'Appelle in 1957; he had been leader of the Saskatchewan Tories since 1949. Appointed minister of northern affairs and natural resources in 1957, he promoted the "Roads to Resources" concept and northern development.

In 1960 he became minister of agriculture. The moving force behind the Agricultural Rehabilitation and Development Agency, he engineered several wheat sales to China that gave a much needed boost to Western agriculture. Defeated in 1968 he was re-elected in 1972 and held the seat until retiring from politics prior to the 1988 general election. Hamilton entered the Order of Canada in 1987 as a Companion and was bestowed the title Right Honourable in 1992 by the Queen in honour of his service to Canada.