Harlan Carey Brewster

Harlan Carey Brewster

Harlan Carey Brewster, politician, premier of British Columbia 1916-18 (b at Harvey, NB 10 Nov 1870; d at Calgary 1 Mar 1918). Educated in New Brunswick and Boston, Massachusetts, and qualified as a printer and deep-sea navigator, Brewster moved to BC about 1893. Successively employed as ship's purser, accountant and salmon cannery manager, he eventually became owner of the Clayoquot Sound Cannery in 1907. In 1909 he was elected Liberal MLA for Alberni.

In 1912, as leader of the Opposition, he ran against Premier Richard MCBRIDE in Victoria but, like all other Liberals, was defeated. He returned to the legislature through a Vancouver by-election in 1916 and was re-elected in the general election, serving as premier until his death. His brief administration introduced such reforms as WOMEN'S SUFFRAGE and PROHIBITION and attempted to clean up political corruption, especially surrounding the Pacific Great Eastern Railway.