Hugh John Flemming

Who was Hugh John Flemming?

Hugh John Flemming, PC was a politician and the 24th Premier of New Brunswick.

He is always known as "Hugh John". The son of James Kidd Flemming, Premier of New Brunswick from 1911 to 1914, Hugh John Flemming was first elected to the province's Legislative Assembly in 1944 after more than twenty years as a municipal councillor. In 1951 he became leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick leading the party to victory in 1952. As Premier, Flemming modernized the province's hydro system, built the Beechwood Dam, the then largest project of its kind, and presented a balanced budget every year in office. In 1960 his government was defeated over the issue of hospital taxes.

Following the defeat of his provincial government, he was named Minister of Forestry in the cabinet of Prime Minister John Diefenbaker and later became Minister of National Revenue in 1962. He sought a seat in a by-election in southern New Brunswick in 1960 and was re-elected to his home district four times before he retired from the House of Commons of Canada in 1972. His son, Hugh John Flemming, Jr. ran for a seat in the New Brunswick Legislature in 1974 but lost to Shirley Dysart by 73 votes. His grandson Ted Flemming was elected to the provincial legislature in the Rothesay by-election, 2012.