Douglas Harkness facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Douglas Harkness
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| Minister of National Defence | |
| In office 11 October 1960 – 3 February 1963 |
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| Prime Minister | John Diefenbaker |
| Preceded by | George Pearkes |
| Succeeded by | Vacant |
| Minister of Agriculture | |
| In office 21 June 1957 – 10 October 1960 |
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| Prime Minister | John Diefenbaker |
| Preceded by | James Garfield Gardiner |
| Succeeded by | Alvin Hamilton |
| Minister of Northern Affairs and National Resources | |
| In office 21 June 1957 – 18 August 1957 |
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| Prime Minister | John Diefenbaker |
| Preceded by | Jean Lesage |
| Succeeded by | Alvin Hamilton |
| Member of Parliament for Calgary Centre |
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| In office 25 June 1968 – 29 October 1972 |
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| Preceded by | Riding created |
| Succeeded by | Harvie Andre |
| Member of Parliament for Calgary North |
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| In office 10 August 1953 – 24 June 1968 |
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| Preceded by | Riding created |
| Succeeded by | Eldon Woolliams |
| Member of Parliament for Calgary East |
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| In office 11 June 1945 – 9 August 1953 |
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| Preceded by | George Henry Ross |
| Succeeded by | John Kushner |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Douglas Scott Harkness
29 March 1903 Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Died | 2 May 1999 (aged 96) Calgary, Alberta, Canada |
| Political party | Progressive Conservative |
| Spouse |
Frances Elizabeth MacMillan
(m. 1932; died 1991) |
| Children | 1 |
| Education | University of Alberta (BA) |
| Profession | |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Canada |
| Branch/service | Canadian Army |
| Years of service | 1940–1949 |
| Rank | Lieutenant Colonel |
| Unit | 4th Canadian Armoured Division |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards |
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Douglas Scott Harkness (March 29, 1903 – May 2, 1999) was an important Canadian politician. He served as a Member of Parliament and held several key roles in the Canadian government.
Contents
Early Life and Military Service
Douglas Harkness was born in Toronto, Ontario. In 1929, he moved to Calgary, Alberta. He studied at the University of Alberta. After finishing school, he worked as a farmer and a teacher near Red Deer. He taught at Crescent Heights High School until 1939.
Harkness served in the Second World War from 1940 to 1945. He fought in Europe, including Great Britain, Sicily, Italy, and Northwest Europe. In 1943, he received the George Medal. This award recognized his bravery in organizing the safe evacuation of a troopship after it was hit by a torpedo. By 1945, Harkness was a commanding officer in the 4th Armoured Division. After the war, he returned to farming in Alberta.
Political Career in Canada
In 1945, Douglas Harkness was elected to the House of Commons of Canada. This meant he became a Member of Parliament (MP) for the area of Calgary East.
Serving as a Cabinet Minister
Under Prime Minister John Diefenbaker, Harkness held several important jobs in the Cabinet. The Cabinet is a group of top government ministers who advise the Prime Minister.
- Minister of Agriculture: From 1957 to 1960, he was in charge of Canada's agriculture.
- Minister of Northern Affairs and National Resources: For a short time in 1957, he also oversaw northern development and natural resources.
- Minister of National Defence: From 1960 to 1963, he was the Minister of National Defence. This role meant he was responsible for Canada's military.
His Resignation and Its Impact
In February 1963, Harkness resigned from his role as Minister of National Defence. He disagreed with Prime Minister Diefenbaker about whether to allow American nuclear weapons in Canada. His resignation caused a big split within the government. This event played a part in the government's defeat in the 1963 federal election. Harkness continued to serve as a Member of Parliament until 1972.
Life After Politics
After leaving politics, Douglas Harkness lived in Calgary until he passed away in 1999. In 1978, he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada. This is one of Canada's highest civilian honours. A school in Calgary, the Douglas Harkness Community School, is named after him.
Images for kids
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Douglas Harkness (first from left) with other members of the government in 1957 during a visit by Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh.
