The story of John Hart, the Irish immigrant who guided British Columbia through war, economic depression, and political change with skill, diplomacy, and vision.

Diplomacy works better than bluster, as John Hart knew well. Hart, an Irish immigrant with a talent for compromise and a famously winning smile, was at the heart of British Columbia politics for much of the first half of the twentieth century. Drawing on government records, politicians’ papers, and newspaper reports, this book illuminates his achievements as finance minister and premier.

As a businessman and Liberal, Hart managed the province’s finances through two world wars and the Great Depression, demonstrating pragmatism and fiscal skill in times of crisis. During much of the Second World War, he led a coalition government with the Conservatives, providing efficient, businesslike governance and shaping the enduring BC political theme of free enterprise versus socialism.
By combining detailed historical research with lively narrative, this book fills a significant gap in British Columbia’s political and economic history, offering a vivid portrait of a leader whose diplomacy, judgment, and vision left a lasting impact on the province.