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Olds (provincial electoral district)

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Coordinates: 51°47′34″N 114°06′24″W / 51.79278°N 114.10667°W / 51.79278; -114.10667
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Olds
Alberta electoral district
Defunct provincial electoral district
LegislatureLegislative Assembly of Alberta
District created1909
District abolished1963
First contested1909
Last contested1959

Olds was a provincial electoral district in Alberta, Canada, mandated to return a single member to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta from 1909 to 1963.[1]

The district was combined with the Didsbury electoral district to form Olds-Didsbury. The district was named after the Town of Olds, Alberta.

Olds history

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Members of the Legislative Assembly for Olds[2]
Assembly Years Member Party
See Rosebud electoral districts from 1905-1909
2nd 1909–1913 Duncan Marshall Liberal
3rd 1913–1917
4th 1917–1921
5th 1921–1926 Nelson Smith United Farmers
6th 1926–1930
7th 1930–1935 Frank Grisdale
8th 1935–1940 Herbert Ash Social Credit
1940-1940 Independent Social Credit
9th 1940–1944 Norman Cook Social Credit
10th 1944–1948
11th 1948–1950
1950–1952 Frederick Niddrie
12th 1952–1955
13th 1955–1958
1959-1959 Roderick Macleod
14th 1959–1963
See Olds-Didsbury electoral district from 1963-1997

The electoral district of Olds was created and first contested for the 1909 Alberta general election. The electoral district included much of the area of the Rosebud electoral district contested in the 1905 election. The first election was won by Liberal candidate Duncan Marshall, who would roll up a large majority in his first win. Marshall was appointed to the cabinet as Minister of Agriculture and Provincial Secretary shortly after the election.

Marshall was confirmed in a Ministerial by-election romping to an easy win over Socialist Candidate Samuel Welsh later that year.[3][4] He lost his portfolios as the Alexander Rutherford government fell in 1910 due to the Alberta and Great Waterways Railway scandal. Premier Sifton later re-appointed him to that post.

Marshall nearly lost his seat in the 1913 general election and won by a bigger majority in 1917. He was defeated by Nelson Smith a candidate for the United Farmers of Alberta in a hotly contested race in the 1921 general election, that saw the United Farmers form their first majority government.

Spencer was re-elected to his second term in 1926 and retired from the legislature in 1930. He was replaced by Frank Grisdale, who held the seat for the United Farmers. Grisdale was appointed Minister of Agriculture in 1934 and served in portfolio for one year. Social Credit swept to power in the 1935 general election, Grisdale would be easily defeated by Social Credit candidate Herbert Ash.

Ash would serve a single term in office. He was removed from caucus by the Aberhart controlled Social Credit Advisory Board that nominated candidates and not allowed to run under the Social Credit banner for the 1944 Alberta general election.[5] He became an Independent Social Credit candidate and ran anyway. The 1944 general election would see Ash and Grisdale both run as Independents. They were defeated by Social Credit candidate Norman Cook.

Cook held the district for three terms before dying in 1950. Social Credit would field candidate Frederick Niddrie who retained the seat for the party. He was re-elected in the 1952 and 1955 general elections before dying and vacating the seat in 1959. In the third by-election held in the riding Social Credit fielded Roderick Macleod who retained the district for his party.[6] He would be re-elected for the second time in a year in the 1959 Alberta general election and kept his seat until the district was abolished in 1963.

Election results

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1909

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1909 Alberta general election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Duncan Marshall 760 64.63% –
Conservative George McDonald 416 35.37% –
Total 1,176 – –
Rejected, spoiled and declined N/A – –
Eligible electors / turnout 1,668 70.50% –
Liberal pickup new district.
Source(s)
Source: "Olds Official Results 1909 Alberta general election". Alberta Heritage Community Foundation. Retrieved May 21, 2020.

1909 by-election

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Alberta provincial by-election, November 23, 1909
Upon Duncan Marshall's appointment as Minister of Agriculture
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Duncan Marshall 733 86.75% 22.12%
Socialist Samuel W. Welch 112 13.25% –
Total 845 – –
Rejected, spoiled and declined N/A – –
Eligible electors / turnout 1,668 50.96 –
Liberal hold Swing 22.12%
Source(s)
"By-elections". Elections Alberta. Retrieved May 26, 2020.

Duncan Marshall having just been elected to the Legislature was appointed to the cabinet as Minister of Agriculture and Provincial Secretary by Premier Alexander Rutherford. Under election laws in force at the time, a ministerial confirmation by-election had to be called. Marshall was the only new appointment to the Rutherford cabinet after the 1909 general election.

Marshall was unanimously confirmed as the Liberal candidate for the by-election and his portfolio endorsed by the membership at a nomination meeting attended by over 100 delegates on November 3, 1909. Speakers at the meeting included federal MP Michael Clark and Senator Peter Talbot.[7]

The Conservatives decided not to oppose Duncan Marshall, but the Socialist Party led by Charles O'Brien, who had just won their first seat in the 1909 general election decided to run a candidate in Olds to oppose Marshall. O'Brien personally managed and ran the campaign of candidate Samuel Welsh.[8]

The Socialists campaigned primarily a platform of nationalizing all farms to be controlled by the state. They also promoted abolishing wages and private property. The Socialists termed their campaign and supporters as "The Red Revolutionaries".[9]

On election day, the riding saw a significant reduction in voter turnout with a light vote being polled compared to the 1909 general election. Marshall was re-elected with a landslide super majority taking almost 87% of the vote to keep his seat and ministerial post.[3]

1913

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1913 Alberta general election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Duncan Marshall 709 51.94% -12.68%
Conservative George H. Cloakey 656 48.06% 12.68%
Total 1,365 – –
Rejected, spoiled and declined N/A – –
Eligible electors / turnout N/A N/A N/A
Liberal hold Swing -8.28%
Source(s)
Source: "Olds Official Results 1913 Alberta general election". Alberta Heritage Community Foundation. Retrieved May 21, 2020.
1,695 eligible electors however 2 pollings districts were not counted.

1917

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1917 Alberta general election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Duncan Marshall 1,283 56.35% 4.40%
Conservative George H. Cloakey 994 43.65% -4.40%
Total 2,277 – –
Rejected, spoiled and declined N/A – –
Eligible electors / turnout N/A N/A N/A
Liberal hold Swing 4.40%
Source(s)
Source: "Olds Official Results 1917 Alberta general election". Alberta Heritage Community Foundation. Retrieved May 21, 2020.
There were 2,667 eligible electors, however 6 polling districts were not counted.

1921

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1921 Alberta general election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
United Farmers Nelson S. Smith 1,896 60.50% –
Liberal Duncan Marshall 1,238 39.50% -16.84%
Total 3,134 – –
Rejected, spoiled and declined N/A – –
Eligible electors / turnout N/A N/A N/A
United Farmers gain from Liberal Swing 4.15%
Source(s)
Source: "Olds Official Results 1921 Alberta general election". Alberta Heritage Community Foundation. Retrieved May 21, 2020.

1926

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1926 Alberta general election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
United Farmers Nelson S. Smith 1,613 59.96% -0.53%
Liberal Norman E. Cook 708 26.32% -13.18%
Conservative L. H. Walkey 369 13.72% –
Total 2,690 – –
Rejected, spoiled and declined 152 – –
Eligible electors / turnout 4,044 70.28% N/A
United Farmers hold Swing 6.32%
Source(s)
Source: "Olds Official Results 1926 Alberta general election". Alberta Heritage Community Foundation. Retrieved May 21, 2020.

1930

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1930 Alberta general election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
United Farmers Frank S. Grisdale 1,790 53.16% -6.80%
Liberal George Clark 1,577 46.84% 20.52%
Total 3,367 – –
Rejected, spoiled and declined 106 – –
Eligible electors / turnout 4,678 74.24% 3.96%
United Farmers hold Swing -13.66%
Source(s)
Source: "Olds Official Results 1930 Alberta general election". Alberta Heritage Community Foundation. Retrieved May 21, 2020.

1935

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1935 Alberta general election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Social Credit Herbert J. Ash 3,538 66.08% –
Liberal A. H. Mann 955 17.84% -29.00%
United Farmers Frank S. Grisdale 694 12.96% -40.20%
Conservative Wm. H. A. Thomas 167 3.12% –
Total 5,354 – –
Rejected, spoiled and declined 138 – –
Eligible electors / turnout 5,993 91.64% 17.40%
Social Credit gain from United Farmers Swing 20.96%
Source(s)
Source: "Olds Official Results 1935 Alberta general election". Alberta Heritage Community Foundation. Retrieved May 21, 2020.

1940

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1940 Alberta general election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
First count
Social Credit Norman E. Cook 2,345 45.43% -18.65%
Independent Frank S. Grisdale 2,455 47.56% –
Independent Social Credit Herbert J. Ash 362 7.01% –
Total 5,162 – –
Ballot transfer results
Independent Frank S. Grisdale 2,549 50.66% –
Social Credit Norman E. Cook 2,483 40.34% –
Total 5,032 – –
Rejected, spoiled and declined 186 – –
Eligible electors / turnout 7,002 76.38% -15.26%
Social Credit hold Swing N/A
Source(s)
Source: "Olds Official Results 1940 Alberta general election". Alberta Heritage Community Foundation. Retrieved May 21, 2020.

1944

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1944 Alberta general election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Social Credit Norman E. Cook 3,196 66.53% 21.10%
Independent Mrs. Ruple Ferguson 832 17.32% –
Co-operative Commonwealth Grand P. Field 776 16.15% –
Total 4,804 – –
Rejected, spoiled and declined 51 – –
Eligible electors / turnout 5,377 90.29% 13.91%
Social Credit hold Swing 24.82%
Source(s)
Source: "Olds Official Results 1944 Alberta general election". Alberta Heritage Community Foundation. Retrieved May 21, 2020.

1948

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1948 Alberta general election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Social Credit Norman E. Cook 3,260 74.53% 8.00%
Liberal Robert A. Brownell 690 15.78% –
Co-operative Commonwealth Charles A. Coutts 424 9.69% -6.46%
Total 4,374 – –
Rejected, spoiled and declined 421 – –
Eligible electors / turnout 7,175 66.83% -23.46%
Social Credit hold Swing 4.77%
Source(s)
Source: "Olds Official Results 1948 Alberta general election". Alberta Heritage Community Foundation. Retrieved May 21, 2020.

1950 by-election

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Alberta provincial by-election, November 16, 1950
following the death of Norman E. Cook on August 5, 1950
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Social Credit Frederick J. Niddrie 2,132 59.19% -16.34%
Liberal M. Winther 1,470 40.81% 25.03%
Total 3,602 – –
Rejected, spoiled and declined N/A – –
Eligible electors / turnout 7,175 50.20% -16.63
Social Credit hold Swing -20.69%
Source(s)
Source: "Olds Official By-election Results". Elections Alberta. November 16, 1950. Retrieved March 19, 2010.

1952

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1952 Alberta general election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Social Credit Frederick J. Niddrie 3,064 65.54% -8.99%
Liberal Edward G. Miller 1,611 34.46% 18.68%
Total 4,675 – –
Rejected, spoiled and declined 195 – –
Eligible electors / turnout 7,316 66.57% -0.26%
Social Credit hold Swing -13.84%
Source(s)
Source: "Olds Official Results 1952 Alberta general election". Alberta Heritage Community Foundation. Retrieved May 21, 2020.

1955

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1955 Alberta general election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Social Credit Frederick J. Niddrie 3,161 58.55% -6.99%
Liberal A. Boyce 2,238 41.45% 6.99%
Total 5,399 – –
Rejected, spoiled and declined 211 – –
Eligible electors / turnout 7,515 74.65% 8.08%
Social Credit hold Swing -6.99%
Source(s)
Source: "Olds Official Results 1955 Alberta general election". Alberta Heritage Community Foundation. Retrieved May 21, 2020.

1959 by-election

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Alberta provincial by-election, February 9, 1959
following the death of Frederick J. Niddrie on December 19, 1958
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Social Credit Roderick Angus Macleod 3,183 67.35% 8.80%
Liberal W. Anderson 1,543 32.65% -8.80%
Total 4,726 – –
Rejected, spoiled and declined N/A – –
Eligible electors / turnout 7,515 62.89% –
Social Credit hold Swing 8.80%
Source(s)
Source: "Olds Official By-election Results". Elections Alberta. February 9, 1959. Retrieved March 19, 2010.

1959

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1959 Alberta general election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Social Credit Roderick Angus Macleod 3,424 66.46% 7.91%
Progressive Conservative Bruce Hanson 1,728 33.54% –
Total 5,152 – –
Rejected, spoiled and declined 13 – –
Eligible electors / turnout 6,939 74.43% -0.22%
Social Credit hold Swing 7.91%
Source(s)
Source: "Olds Official Results 1959 Alberta general election". Alberta Heritage Community Foundation. Retrieved May 21, 2020.

Plebiscite results

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1957 liquor plebiscite

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1957 Alberta liquor plebiscite results: Olds[10]
Question A: Do you approve additional types of outlets for the
sale of beer, wine and spirituous liquor subject to a local vote?
Ballot choice Votes %
No 3,044 61.76%
Yes 1,164 38.24%
Total votes 3,044 100%
Rejected, spoiled and declined 32
7,332 eligible electors, turnout 41.95%

On October 30, 1957 a stand-alone plebiscite was held province wide in all 50 of the then current provincial electoral districts in Alberta. The government decided to consult Alberta voters to decide on liquor sales and mixed drinking after a divisive debate in the Legislature. The plebiscite was intended to deal with the growing demand for reforming antiquated liquor control laws.[11]

The plebiscite was conducted in two parts. Question A asked in all districts, asked the voters if the sale of liquor should be expanded in Alberta, while Question B asked in a handful of districts within the corporate limits of Calgary and Edmonton asked if men and woman were allowed to drink together in establishments.[10]

Province wide Question A of the plebiscite passed in 33 of the 50 districts while Question B passed in all five districts. Olds voted against the proposal by a wide margin. The voter turnout in the district was well below the province wide average of 46%.[10]

Official district returns were released to the public on December 31, 1957.[10] The Social Credit government in power at the time did not considered the results binding.[12] However the results of the vote led the government to repeal all existing liquor legislation and introduce an entirely new Liquor Act.[13]

Municipal districts lying inside electoral districts that voted against the Plebiscite such as Olds were designated Local Option Zones by the Alberta Liquor Control Board and considered effective dry zones, business owners that wanted a license had to petition for a binding municipal plebiscite in order to be granted a license.[14]

Historical boundaries and maps

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Election results for Olds". abheritage.ca. Wayback Machine: Heritage Community Foundation. Archived from the original on December 8, 2010. Retrieved June 8, 2020.
  2. ^ "Members of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta 1905-2006" (PDF). Legislative Assembly of Alberta. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 30, 2007. Retrieved May 20, 2009.
  3. ^ a b "D. Marshal Swamped Welsh". 292. The Lethbridge Daily Herald. November 24, 1909. p. 1.
  4. ^ "By-elections". Elections Alberta. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
  5. ^ "S.C. Row in Olds riding". Vol XXXIII No. 76. The Lethbridge Daily Herald. March 9, 1940. pp. 1, 3.
  6. ^ "Olds results 1909 Alberta general election". Alberta Heritage Community Foundation. Retrieved May 17, 2009.
  7. ^ "The Liberal Convention". Vol. VIII No. 45. The Olds Gazette. November 5, 1909. p. 1.
  8. ^ "Some Questions for O'Brien's Brand of Socialism to Answer". Vol VIII No. 47. The Olds Gazette. November 19, 1909. p. 1.
  9. ^ R.F. Page (November 19, 1909). "Berrydale Socialist Meeting". Vol VIII No. 47. The Olds Gazette. p. 1.
  10. ^ a b c d Alberta Gazette. Vol. 53 (December 31 ed.). Government of Alberta. 1957. pp. 2, 247–2, 249.
  11. ^ "Albertans Vote 2 to 1 For More Liquor Outlets". Vol L No 273. The Lethbridge Herald. October 31, 1957. pp. 1–2.
  12. ^ "No Sudden Change In Alberta Drinking Habits Is Seen". Vol L No 267. The Lethbridge Herald. October 24, 1957. p. 1.
  13. ^ "Entirely New Act On Liquor". Vol LI No 72. The Lethbridge Herald. March 5, 1968. p. 1.
  14. ^ "Bill 81". Alberta Bills 12th Legislature 1st Session. Government of Alberta. 1958. p. 40.
  15. ^ "2". Statutes of the Province of Alberta. Government of Alberta. 1909. pp. 29–30.
  16. ^ "2". Statutes of the Province of Alberta. Government of Alberta. 1913. p. 25.
  17. ^ "14". Statutes of the Province of Alberta. Government of Alberta. 1930. pp. 88–89.
  18. ^ "94". Statutes of the Province of Alberta. Government of Alberta. 1939. p. 432.
  19. ^ "36". Statutes of the Province of Alberta. Government of Alberta. 1950. p. 211.
  20. ^ "62". Statutes of the Province of Alberta. Government of Alberta. 1955. p. 380.

Further reading

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51°47′34″N 114°06′24″W / 51.79278°N 114.10667°W / 51.79278; -114.10667

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