William Richards Bennett, PC, OBC (born August 18, 1932), commonly known as Bill Bennett, was the 27th Premier of the Canadian province of British Columbia 1975–1986. He is a son of the former Premier, W. A. C. Bennett. He was a 3rd cousin, twice removed, of R.B. Bennett, eleventh Prime Minister of Canada.
Following his father's resignation, Bill Bennett was elected on September 7, 1973, as the British Columbia Social Credit League Member of the British Columbia Legislative Assembly for South Okanagan.
To distinguish him from his famous father, also named William - though usually called "W.A.C." in the media or "Ceece" by his friends - he was usually called simply Bill Bennett. One media term coined to describe the younger Bennett was "Mini-Wac," derived from another of his father's nicknames, one created by his enemies but ultimately embraced by some supporters - "Wacky".
Read more about Bill Bennett: Leader of Social Credit Party, Premier of British Columbia, Retirement, Controversies
Famous quotes containing the words bill and/or bennett:
“I need not tell you of the inadequacy of the American shipping marine on the Pacific Coast.... For this reason it seems to me that there is no subject to which Congress can better devote its attention in the coming session than the passage of a bill which shall encourage our merchant marine in such a way as to establish American lines directly between New York and the eastern ports and South American ports, and both our Pacific Coast ports and the Orient and the Philippines.”
—William Howard Taft (1857–1930)
“He said “Next time can I bring my friend?”
And I thought “Does he mean friend?”
And I thought “Yes he does mean friend.”
Which was quite bold in those days.
It was the Dark Ages. Men and men.
And they could still put you in prison for it.
And did, dear.”
—Alan Bennett (b. 1934)