Edgar Benson

Early years

After serving overseas in the Second World War as a sergeant in the Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery, Benson attended Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario, where he obtained his Bachelor of Commerce degree. He became a chartered accountant and partner in the accounting firm of England, Leonard, Macpherson and Company, and co-owner of CKLC. Prior to his entry into politics, he also taught Business Administration at Queen's, in the capacity of Assistant Professor of Commerce.

Political life

He was first elected to the House of Commons of Canada in the 1962 general election as the Liberal Member of Parliament (MP) for Kingston, Ontario. Initially appointed in 1962 as Parliamentary Secretary to then Minister of Finance Walter Gordon, he entered the Cabinet of Prime Minister Lester Pearson in 1964 as Minister of National Revenue, and served concurrently from 1966 to 1968 as the first President of the Treasury Board.

He was an early supporter of Pierre Trudeau in the 1968 Liberal leadership campaign to replace the retiring Pearson, and, together with Jean Marchand, was co-chairman of Trudeau's leadership bid. He was later appointed Minister of Finance, serving from 1968 to 1972.

Tax reform (1971)

Benson's balanced budget for 1969-70 would be the last until Paul Martin's budget of 1997-98. Later in 1969, he introduced his white paper on Canadian tax reform, which paved the way for:

:* a capital gains tax :* a tax deduction for child care as a means of helping mothers enter the workforce :* greater use of Registered Retirement Savings Plans

The proposals were subjected to intensive debate that lasted more than a year. Those concerning the capital gains tax were severely criticized by the business community, particularly Israel Asper, who condemned the measure. The reforms were only passed after significant amendment, and even then only through the use of closure. They came into effect on January 1, 1972, as prescribed by the 1971 Canadian federal budget.

Marc Lalonde, a colleague and future Finance Minister, later said, "He was in finance at a critical time, he revolutionized the system. He launched a revolution. It was a revolution, a necessary step and a demanding task. What he did was economically justified. The basic tax structure that he put in place is still alive. No one has really touched it since."

Impact

He was also instrumental in rolling out a national medical care plan and supplementary old age pensions and played a key role in federal-provincial relations.

Benson wore a pair of new shoes on budget day in 1968, although he said, "He didn't buy them just for the budget." The following year he did not wear new shoes when delivering the budget, saying jokingly that he couldn't afford them, and in 1970 proudly displayed his worn soles on budget day.

He later served as Minister of National Defence from January to August 1972, when he retired from politics, choosing not to run in the 1972 election.

Later life and death

Benson served as President of the Canadian Transport Commission from 1972 to 1982, and as Canadian Ambassador to Ireland from 1982 to 1985. He died on September 2, 2011, at the age of 88.

Honours

Benson was conferred honorary degrees as a Doctor of Laws from:

:* Royal Military College of Canada in 1973 :* Queen's University in 2008

Electoral record

[[Kingston (federal electoral district)|Kingston]]

[[Kingston and the Islands (federal electoral district)|Kingston and the Islands]]

References

References

1. "Radio station history - CKLC-FM". Canadian Communications Foundation.
2. (February 13, 1969). "Tax Reform (speech)". [[Empire Club of Canada]].
3. (September 9, 2011). "Flags lowered for former School of Business professor". [[Queen's University at Kingston.
4. (2011). "Fearful Symmetry - The Fall and Rise of Canada's Founding Values". [[Macdonald-Laurier Institute]].
5. Israel Asper. (1970). "The Benson iceberg: a critical analysis of the white paper on tax reform in Canada". [[Clarke, Irwin & Company]].
6. {{Cite canlaw. (1970-71-72)
7. Robert Hull. (October 23, 1968). "Name makes tax no sweeter". The Windsor Star.
8. (June 4, 1969). "Busy day for Mr. Benson". The Montreal Gazette.
9. (March 13, 1970). "Setting an example?". The Windsor Star.
10. "Taking Control - The Canadian Transport Commission, 1967 to 1988". [[Canadian Transportation Agency]].
11. "Benson, Hon. Edgar J. (Non-career)". [[Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada]].
12. "Edgar John Benson". [[Kingston Whig-Standard]].
13. "Honorary Degree Recipients 2008-2010". [[Queen's University at Kingston.