Walter Edward Foster

Walter Edward Foster
The Honourable Walter Edward Foster, PC
17th Premier of New Brunswick
In office April 4, 1917 – February 1, 1923
Monarch	George V
Lieutenant Governor	William Frederick Todd Hugh Havelock McLean
Preceded by	James A. Murray
Succeeded by	Peter J. Veniot
MLA for Victoria
In office April 23, 1917 – October 9, 1920 Serving with John F. Tweeddale
Preceded by	James Burgess
Succeeded by	George W. Warnock
MLA for Saint John County
In office October 9, 1920 – February 1, 1923 Serving with Robert T. Hayes, William E. Scully, William F. Roberts
Preceded by	John R. Campbell
Succeeded by	Leonard P.D. Tilley
Senator for Saint John, New Brunswick
In office December 6, 1928 – November 14, 1947
Appointed by	Mackenzie King
Personal details
Born	(1873-04-09)April 9, 1873 St. Martins, New Brunswick Canada
Died	Saint John, New Brunswick Canada
Political party	Liberal
Spouse(s)	Johanna M. Vassie (m. 1903)
Children	Walter William Vassie Foster
Occupation	businessman
Profession	politician
Religion	Anglican

Walter Edward Foster, PC (April 9, 1873 – November 14, 1947) was a politician and businessman in New Brunswick, Canada.

Foster was born in St. Martins, New Brunswick. He began work as a clerk with the Bank of New Brunswick at Saint John. He joined the merchant firm of Vassie and Company and became vice president and managing director after marrying Johanna Vassie, daughter of the firm's head. Active in community business affairs, Foster served as President of the Saint John Board of Trade in 1908-1909.

In 1916, Walter Foster became leader of the province's Liberal Party which swept to victory in the 1917 election. Foster was defeated in the Saint John County riding in the 1917 election but was elected to the Legislative Assembly by acclamation in a by-election later that year in Victoria County. Though leader at age 45, he was called the "boy premier" for his youthful, cleancut appearance (Doyle). His government established the first department of health in 1918, gave women the right to vote in 1919 and created the province's power commission in 1920.

Walter Foster resigned from provincial politics on February 1, 1923 in order to return to put his own failing personal finances in order. He entered federal politics becoming Secretary of State of Canada in 1925, but failed to win a seat in the that year's federal election, or again in the 1926 federal election.

In 1928, Walter Foster was appointed by Prime Minister Mackenzie King to the Canadian Senate and served as Speaker of the Canadian Senate from 1936 to 1940. He died in office in Saint John at the age of 74 and was buried in the Cedar Hill Cemetery.

His son, Walter William Vassie Foster, served in the provincial Legislative Assembly.

References

• Political biography from the Library of Parliament
• Government of New Brunswick biography (pdf)

Further reading

• Arthur T. Doyle, Front Benches and Back Rooms: A story of corruption, muckraking, raw partisanship and political intrigue in New Brunswick, Toronto: Green Tree Publishing, 1976.