1934 Calgary municipal election


The 1934 Calgary municipal election was held on November 21, 1934 to elect six Aldermen to sit on Calgary City Council. Along with positions on Calgary City Council, a Commissioner, three trustees for the Public School Board, and two trustees for the Separate School Board. Nominations closed on November 5, 1934.
Calgary City Council governed under "Initiative, Referendum and Recall" which is composed of a Mayor, Commissioner and twelve Aldermen all elected to staggered two year terms. Mayor Andrew Davison and six Aldermen: Joseph Brown Seymour, Alexander John MacMillan, William George Southern, Joseph Hope Ross, Harold William Hounsfield Riley and Robert Henry Weir elected in 1933 continued in their positions.

Background

The election was held under the Single Transferable Voting/Proportional Representation (STV/PR) with the term for candidates being two years.
The Great Depression played a significant role in the 1934 election as many Calgarians were out of work. A candidate meeting at the Elks Lodge was interrupted by a relief worker who was subsequently arrested by police. Members of the crowd surged towards the gallery in defense of the worker forcing Mayor Davison to end the meeting when he realized order could not be restored.
The Calgary Herald advocated on behalf of the Civic Government Association prior to the election arguing that Labour Aldermen and trustees had failed to effectively run the city.

Results

Results from Calgary Daily Herald.

Council

Quota for election was 3,286.

Public School Board

The quota was 3,053
CandidateVotesPercentcount
A.B. Singleton5,673
Robert Thomas Alderman5,037
Arthur D. Cumming3,325
Ernest Henry Starr2,473
A.T. Spankie2,463
J.H. Doughty-Davies2,031
Murdoch Clarke1,296

Plebiscites

Material for Works Program

Material for works program for unemployed.
  • For - 3,395
  • Against - 4,634

City manager

An appointed city manager.
  • For - 10,458
  • Against - 12,798