Article

Charles Avery Dunning

Published Online October 3, 2013

Last Edited December 15, 2013

Dunning, Charles Avery, businessman, politician, premier of Saskatchewan (b at Croft, Eng 31 July 1885; d at Montréal 1 Oct 1958). General manager of the Saskatchewan Co-operative Elevator Company, Dunning entered provincial politics in 1916 when opposition to both national parties was spreading.

Charles Avery Dunning

Dunning, Charles Avery, businessman, politician, premier of Saskatchewan (b at Croft, Eng 31 July 1885; d at Montréal 1 Oct 1958). General manager of the Saskatchewan Co-operative Elevator Company, Dunning entered provincial politics in 1916 when opposition to both national parties was spreading. He remained loyal to the Liberal Party, however, and his adroit political maneuvering as premier 1922-26 saved it from defeat. Dunning was elected MP in 1926, serving as minister of railways and canals and then minister of finance under Mackenzie KING 1926-30 and 1935-39. Ill health forced his retirement in 1939 and he returned to business. He was named chancellor of Queen's University in 1940.