CBC Archives

You must sign in to leave a comment on this clip.

Shaping Alberta politics

Broadcast Date: Jan. 1, 1967

Henry Wise Wood was one of the most influential political figures in Alberta from 1915 until his death in 1941, as seen in this animated CBC clip. Though American by birth, the farm leader was an integral part of the United Farmers of Alberta and the Alberta Wheat Pool. Through these organizations, he promoted his vision of a strong broadly based farm organization to offset the growing power of bankers, industrialists and professionals.

Henry Wise Wood also fought against the domination of politics by Central Canada, which he often saw as a detriment to western farmers. A deeply religious man, he was respected for his honesty, strong leadership and deep devotion to farmers' causes.

Shaping Alberta politics

• Henry Wise Wood was born near Monroe City, Mont., on May 31, 1860, and died in Calgary on June 10, 1941.

• He bought a wheat farm and moved to Alberta in 1905 due to the availability of cheap land in the province dubbed the "last best west."

• In 1916 Wood became the president of the United Farmers of Alberta.

• Wood refused to run for political office, but he backed the United Farmers and the Progressive Party of Canada.

• There's a school in Calgary named after the farm leader.

Shaping Alberta politics

Medium: Television

Program: CBC Television Special

Broadcast Date: Jan. 1, 1967

Duration: 0:57

Credit: The image is part of the Glenbow Museum collection.

Last updated:
Aug. 25, 2009