During World War II, Turner served in the Royal Canadian Air Force from 1939 to 1945.[2] In 1946, he was elected to the Manitoba legislature as a special representative of Manitobans serving overseas in the RCAF. Although elected as an independent, he soon joined the caucus of the governing Liberal-Progressive Party.[1]
Turner was again re-elected in the 1953 provincial election, topping the poll in Winnipeg South. He was by this time the leading cabinet representative from Winnipeg, and received the additional portfolio of Railway Commissioner on January 18, 1954.[1]
Turner was known as a skilled politician, and was described by CCF leader Lloyd Stinson as "undoubtedly the brightest front bench performer in the latter days of the Campbell regime". He was known as both a civil liberal and a fiscal conservative. Just prior to the 1953 provincial election, he summarizing his political philosophy with the following statement: "The government is of the belief that the cost of government should be held to the minimum commensurate with the provision of a satisfactory level of essential services." [3]
While a conservative and cautious administrator in most respects, Turner played a leading role in establishing the Manitoba Hydro-electric Board in 1953, at a cost of $54,600,000. The Hydro-Electric Board later became one of the most powerful public agencies in Canada.
Many believed Turner would eventually replace Campbell as leader of the Liberal-Progressive Party, but this did not occur. He resigned from cabinet on July 6, 1956[1] to become president of Transair, an airline based in Winnipeg.[2] He remained in the legislature as a backbencher, but did not seek re-election in 1958. As a backbencher, he opposed the CCF's plan for comprehensive social security.
Turner's friends expected that he would eventually return to politics, either as provincial Liberal leader or as a Member of Parliament for the federal Liberal Party. His early death in 1965 came as a surprise to those who knew him.
Referencesedit
^ abcdef. Legislative Assembly of Manitoba. Archived from the original on 2014-03-30.
^ abcdBumsted, J M (2000). Dictionary of Manitoba Biography. University of Manitoba Press. ISBN0887553184. Retrieved 2013-05-12.
^Winnipeg Free Press. 28 April 1953. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
March 17, 2024
ronald, turner, other, people, with, same, name, turner, disambiguation, ronald, david, turner, august, 1915, carman, manitoba, 1965, politician, manitoba, canada, served, legislative, assembly, manitoba, from, 1946, 1956, cabinet, minister, government, dougla. For other people with the same name see Ron Turner disambiguation Ronald David Turner QC August 19 1915 1 in Carman Manitoba 2 1965 was a politician in Manitoba Canada He served in the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba from 1946 to 1956 and was a cabinet minister in the government of Douglas Campbell 1 Turner was educated at the University of Manitoba and the Manitoba Law School He practiced as a barrister at law 2 and became a Queen s Counsel in 1955 During World War II Turner served in the Royal Canadian Air Force from 1939 to 1945 2 In 1946 he was elected to the Manitoba legislature as a special representative of Manitobans serving overseas in the RCAF Although elected as an independent he soon joined the caucus of the governing Liberal Progressive Party 1 He was re elected in the 1949 provincial election winning the third position in the four member constituency of Winnipeg South On December 1 1951 he was appointed to cabinet in the senior position of Provincial Treasurer 1 Turner was again re elected in the 1953 provincial election topping the poll in Winnipeg South He was by this time the leading cabinet representative from Winnipeg and received the additional portfolio of Railway Commissioner on January 18 1954 1 Turner was known as a skilled politician and was described by CCF leader Lloyd Stinson as undoubtedly the brightest front bench performer in the latter days of the Campbell regime He was known as both a civil liberal and a fiscal conservative Just prior to the 1953 provincial election he summarizing his political philosophy with the following statement The government is of the belief that the cost of government should be held to the minimum commensurate with the provision of a satisfactory level of essential services 3 While a conservative and cautious administrator in most respects Turner played a leading role in establishing the Manitoba Hydro electric Board in 1953 at a cost of 54 600 000 The Hydro Electric Board later became one of the most powerful public agencies in Canada Many believed Turner would eventually replace Campbell as leader of the Liberal Progressive Party but this did not occur He resigned from cabinet on July 6 1956 1 to become president of Transair an airline based in Winnipeg 2 He remained in the legislature as a backbencher but did not seek re election in 1958 As a backbencher he opposed the CCF s plan for comprehensive social security Turner s friends expected that he would eventually return to politics either as provincial Liberal leader or as a Member of Parliament for the federal Liberal Party His early death in 1965 came as a surprise to those who knew him References edit a b c d e f MLA Biographies Deceased Legislative Assembly of Manitoba Archived from the original on 2014 03 30 a b c d Bumsted J M 2000 Dictionary of Manitoba Biography University of Manitoba Press ISBN 0887553184 Retrieved 2013 05 12 Winnipeg Free Press 28 April 1953 a href Template Cite news html title Template Cite news cite news a Missing or empty title help Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Ronald Turner amp oldid 1162586132, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
