William James Harmer (October 15, 1872 – September 9, 1947) was a politician and

Senator A senate is a deliberative assembly, often the upper house or chamber of a bicameral legislature. The name comes from the ancient Roman Senate (Latin: ''Senatus''), so-called as an assembly of the senior (Latin: ''senex'' meaning "the el ...

from

Alberta Alberta ( ) is one of the thirteen provinces and territories of Canada. It is part of Western Canada and is one of the three prairie provinces. Alberta is bordered by British Columbia to the west, Saskatchewan to the east, the Northwest Ter ...

, Canada.

Early life

William James Harmer was born to James Harmer and Agatha Walker Harmer on October 16, 1872. His family would settle in

Fort Frontenac Fort Frontenac was a French trading post and military fort built in July 1673 at the mouth of the Cataraqui River where the St. Lawrence River leaves Lake Ontario (at what is now the western end of the La Salle Causeway), in a location tradition ...

and Harmer would attend Napanee Public Schools and Collegiate Institute. As a telegrapher Harmer moved West in 1891 where he working in Railway Operating and Traffic Departments and later became the Superintendent of operation of the Alberta Government Telephone System and Deputy Minister of the Department of Railways and Telephones in Alberta.

Political career

Harmer was appointed to the

Senate of Canada The Senate of Canada (french: region=CA, Sénat du Canada) is the upper house of the Parliament of Canada. Together with the Crown and the House of Commons, they comprise the bicameral legislature of Canada. The Senate is modelled after the B ...

on the advice of Robert Borden on February 5, 1918, his appointment was made to satisfy the Unionist coalition. The appointment especially angered Richard Bennett, who was originally supposed to get the appointment but also very much opposed the parliamentary coalition. Harmer would earn the nickname "Silent William from Alberta" in the Senate because of his infrequent participation in Senate discussions. During his 29 years in the Senate, he was never known to have made a speech. However, he sponsored a Bill in 1929 for the extension of the

Canadian Pacific Railway The Canadian Pacific Railway (french: Chemin de fer Canadien Pacifique) , also known simply as CPR or Canadian Pacific and formerly as CP Rail (1968–1996), is a Canadian Class I railway incorporated in 1881. The railway is owned by Canadi ...

line to Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. Harmer served in the Senate until his death on September 9, 1947.

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Harmer, William 1872 births 1947 deaths Liberal Party of Canada senators Canadian senators from Alberta