A Concise History of the British Columbia Social Credit Party

The British Columbia Social Credit Party was first registered as the British Columbia Social Credit League in 1949 after several stormy years of discussion over the need to become politically active. Lyle Wicks was the first President of the League. In 1951, after crossing the floor and leaving the B.C. Conservative Party, W.A.C. Bennett joined the Social Credit League. When provincial election was called in 1952, the League chose Rev. Hansell of Alberta as Leader during the term of the election. Social Credit won 19 seats and the C.C.F. party won 18. The elected Social Credit Caucus chose W.A.C. Bennett as their Leader. He became Premier of British Columbia on August 2, 1952. His first Cabinet was small – 10 Ministers – including 2 non-elected nominees: Einer Gunderson and Robert Bonner. They were elected in subsequent by-elections. The Social Credit Government had its first session in January 1953 and was defeated on the “Rolston Formula” a bill concerning Education. A new election was called and Social Credit won handily.

Social Credit continued as government, with an election held every 3 years, until 1972. During this time BC Hydro was developed from B.C. Electric, the B.C. Ferry fleet was established, the Universities of Victoria and Simon Fraser and BCIT and regional technical schools and colleges were developed throughout the province. The highway system was expanded and upgraded; Hospital insurance and Medicare became realities; the Columbia River Treaty and the Bennett and Keenlyside Dams were built and the whole province prospered.

In 1972 the NDP won, to its own surprise and held office until December of 1975. Bill Bennett, W.A.C. Bennett’s son, was elected MLA for South Okanagan in 1973 and Leader of the B.C. Social Credit Party later that year. He became Premier in December of 1975 and governed until 1986 when he retired. During his term of office, Bill brought in the Long Term Care Program for Seniors, developed North East Coal and built B.C.Place and Expo 86, the Coquihalla highway. During his term of office the Province of B.C. had the highest rate of growth in North America. Bill Vander Zalm became the next Leader and Premier, followed by Rita Johnson who attained the position when Vander Zalm was forced to resign by his caucus.

In 1991, the NDP again became government. Social Credit continued to lose ground politically. Several different Leaders were chosen but could not break the trend. In 1995 the British Columbia Social Credit Party was registered under the new Elections Act. Criteria for the Leader have been developed. The quality standards are high. Social Credit aspires to prove that honest, hard-working and dedicated people can bring their province back to its previous heights under Social Credit Leadership.

This document is also available in Traditional Chinese and Simplified Chinese.

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