Thomas MacNutt facts for kids

Thomas MacNutt (born August 3, 1850, died February 5, 1927) was an important Canadian politician. He worked in both the national government in Ottawa and the provincial government in Saskatchewan. He was a member of the House of Commons of Canada and the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan. Thomas MacNutt also received several awards for his work. He was one of the first members of a group called the Independent party, which later became the Progressive Party of Canada.

Early Life and Family

Thomas MacNutt was born on August 3, 1850, in Campbellton, New Brunswick. His parents were Charles Stewart MacNutt and Emily Allison MacNutt.

He went to elementary school on Prince Edward Island. Later, he attended grammar school and commercial college in Ottawa. Before becoming a politician, Thomas MacNutt worked in several jobs. He was a timber agent, a surveyor, and an agent for Indigenous peoples and colonization. Many early settlers saw him as a helpful guide and friend.

Thomas MacNutt married Miss Margaret McFayden. They started their family in the Saltcoats area of Saskatchewan. They had four children: Charles Arthur, Thomas Russell MacNutt, Mary Lamont, and Everett Alexander.

Military Service

Thomas MacNutt also served in the military during two important events:

• In 1866, he was part of the Ottawa Rifles. He served during the Cornwall Fenian raids, which were also called the "Irish Invasion of Canada."
• In 1885, he served with the Minnedosa Home Guards. This was during the North-West Rebellion.

Thomas MacNutt's Political Career

MacNutt was involved in politics for many years. From 1902 to 1905, he was a member of the Territorial Assembly. This was before Saskatchewan became a province.

Becoming a Speaker

In 1906, Thomas MacNutt became the first Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan. As Speaker, he had to know all the rules of the assembly. He also had to be fair and unbiased to everyone.

Serving in Parliament

He continued his political journey and became a Member of Parliament (MP). He served in the House of Commons of Canada in Ottawa from 1908 to 1921.

MacNutt first joined politics as a supporter of the Saskatchewan Liberal Party. In the 1905 Saskatchewan general election, he was elected as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Saltcoats. He worked with Premier Walter Scott of the Liberal Party.

He later resigned as an MLA to become a Member of Parliament. He won the 1908 Canadian federal election and represented the federal Saltcoats area. He also won the federal elections in Saltcoats in 1911 and 1917.

Joining New Parties

During World War I, a group called the Unionist Party was formed. This party supported the "Union government" led by Sir Robert Borden. Thomas MacNutt was a Liberal-Unionist from 1917 to 1920.

He was also one of eight people who started the Independent party. This group later became known as the Progressive Party of Canada.

Awards and Honours

Thomas MacNutt received special recognition for his contributions.

• The early Saskatchewan area of Landestreu was named in his honour. This place is now known as MacNutt, Saskatchewan.
• In May 1935, he was awarded the Jubilee medal. This medal celebrated the twenty-fifth year that King George V was king. It was given to members of the Royal Household and other deserving people, including Thomas MacNutt.

See also

• Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan
• Speaker (politics)