THE MCNAIR-FLEMMING YEARS

James G. Long began his career in the resource industry in New Brunswick, Quebec, Alberta and British Columbia. Born in Fredericton, he holds degrees in geology and economics from the University of New Brunswick and University of Calgary. He has been a resource consultant and founder of both public and private energy companies, and has written more than 100 specialized technical papers and reports.

Detailed study to create The McNair-Flemming Years 1930-1960, includes regional history, biographies, public policy, business development and hyper-partisan politics. It explores long-standing government fiscal challenges created by lack of industry, seasonal employment, demands to solve social problems in a sparsely populated, largely rural society, and the growing dependence on the Federal treasury.

The basis of restructuring the role of government, social, educational, and healthcare reform was met with varying success by Premiers J.B. McNair and H.J. Flemming. Their leadership extended throughout the depression era, rationing and blackout drills during WWII, German U-boats in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Coronation of a Young Queen, post-war reconstruction, modernization and economic growth in a culture rooted in the past and resistant to change.

The McNair-Flemming Years is a two-volume history of New Brunswick politics and events, from the Depression to the beginning of the 1960s. Based largely on contemporaneous journalistic input from five daily New Brunswick newspapers, it is exactly as the title suggests: A Public Record of Uncertain Times. It is a distillation of the daily events that shaped public opinion and controlled political messaging, and upon which people formed their own bias and interpretation of the news.

Detailing regional history, the story develops of NB citizen's struggles through the Depression, their stellar support for Canada's war efforts, and their unbreakable spirit of optimism during challenging times.

John B. McNair is featured in Volume 1. He was an athlete, Rhodes Scholar, veteran of the First World War, who filled a prominent leadership role starting in 1935, as the Attorney-General of New Brunswick and as Premier 1940-1952. Under his guidance, New Brunswick embarked on a massive program of infrastructure spending, to pave roads, and to build bridges, hospitals, and schools. He provided calm reassurance to a nervous public during the darkest days of the Second World War. His innovative approach to politics brought professional advertising into election campaigns in the pre-television era. For almost a generation he was this Province’s leading public figure.

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Reviews

The McNair-Flemming Years, Volume 1 is an historical account of New Brunswick politics, covering 1929 to 1949, and their part in building the Canadian nation. More than reportage, it offers smart analysis over the course of the book. A broad brush uses the political activities in this Maritime province to consider its development, Canadian and social history, public policy, and business and economics over a transformational period of government in social, educational and healthcare reform; transportation advances from horse and buggy to automobiles and air travel; and media evolution from newspapers to radio to television. The story telling in this book is often splendid.

Laura Pratt - FriesenPress Editor

The McNair-Flemming Years tracks the plight of citizens: members of the teaching profession through the darkest days of the Depression; the bare survival of families in the fishing and farming communities; and a variety of tragedies the population faced during uncertain times. There was a very real fear during WWII that war was coming to North America, and cities in the Maritime Provinces, particularly Halifax, Saint John, and Moncton, were potential strategic targets. German submarines operated with impunity along the eastern U.S. and Canadian coastlines, sinking hundreds of merchant vessels and creating rationing of numerous imported goods.

- James G. Long

The McNair-Flemming Years Volume 2, relates a shift of influence by the print media. Newspaper reporting of peacetime events had always expressed a known degree of partisan views, but these suddenly became toxic in the 1950s. The result was a transition of political news from predictable to untrustworthy, to outrageous, and to propaganda. There was an evolution away from text-heavy political advertising based on achievements, to an emphasis on the personality of leadership. In his last public speech before the 1952 election, Premier J.B. McNair said with confidence: "integrity and honesty will win for the Liberal Party," and he was wrong!

The image of Premier Hugh John Flemming 1952-1960, was carefully monitored by political campaign manager Dalton Camp, speechwriter Kenneth Carson, and PC Party bagman Ewart Atkinson. Party propaganda and priority news cycle coverage for the new premier, were maintained by Michael Wardell, the editor/owner of Fredericton's Daily Gleaner newspaper and the monthly periodical Atlantic Advocate.

While his predecessor was challenged with significant international events, the affable, outgoing Mr. Flemming could concentrate on local events, his obsession with building of the Beechwood Dam, and his own self-promotion. He governed over a period of substantially increased debt, while holding fast to the belief that the path to prosperity was through increased Federal financial support.

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Reviews

The McNair-Flemming Years, Volume 2 [covering the period 1950 to 1960] is the second installment of a rich and comprehensive historical project looking back at New Brunswick history, politics, and economics during the years after the Second World War. Like its predecessor, Volume 2 is packed with marvelous, deep-dive history and is an extraordinary achievement of regional political research. Regular injections of context, observations, and comments on the larger goings-on of the country and world, like the Korean War, the polio vaccine, the spread of broadcast television, and the various incarnations and appearances of the royal family, helps put the smaller stories in perspective. This book will attract fans of Canadian, and especially Maritime history and politics.

Laura Pratt - FriesenPress Editor

Volume 2 of the McNair-Flemming Years details a journey into New Brunswick politics and events which have relevance in today’s news, riddled with ‘alternative facts’ and reported with sometimes outrageous media bias. Discussions include the first New Brunswick sales tax, politicization of the Beechwood Dam project, response to the Northumberland Strait fishing fleet disaster, and the election of a new premier. Significant problems in the basic structure and responsibilities of the provincial government had been identified; the province had lapsed into a state of economic stagnation; municipal governments were on the verge of bankruptcy; and a critical moment in New Brunswick society had arrived. The Robichaud Years were about to begin, and radical change was coming

- James G. Long

Readership Comments

Volume 1 was a good read and it certainly highlighted events in the McNair era as well as a number of preceding years. It was a good reminder of their energy and their public spirit. I appreciated the knowledgeable asides and critical comments. The book brings primary sources to life on a neglected era in NB politics. I look forward to the second volume.

- G. Martin, Sackville, NB

Volume 1: Who would have thought that a multiyear walk through the Province of New Brunswick’s political landscape could be so entertaining, educational, and historically significant to New Brunswick, Canada and even the world! This all through the author’s fascinating lens of the newspaper and town hall era of parliamentary democracy.
The characters are real and the facts and issues are presented with contemporaneous support from an abundance of quotes. You don’t have to have any connection to New Brunswick to really appreciate the way that local politics can and does work to meet the needs of the community. Well done and I look forward to following the continuing story in Volume 2.

- W. O’Brien, Vancouver, BC

The McNair-Flemming Years is a major contribution toward understanding a largely undocumented period in the province’s public affairs and economic history, and a period consumed by critical challenges. Every page makes for compelling reading. Issues of the day are presented in chronological order and are connected through sometimes emotional context to major events.
The second volume continues the story from wartime into peacetime, of triumphs and tragedies, and of demands for an expanding role of the provincial government. The 1950s became a decade of rising political influence by the media. Social, economic, and political topics were reported from a strong PC point of view. Newspapers continued to be the dominant source for information and media commentary but reporting of government policy was often unreliable, and the editorial page particularly in the Fredericton Daily Gleaner was weaponized.
I enjoyed the read very much and through its rich content feel both rewarded and entertained.

- A. Doyle, Fredericton, NB

This is a deep dive study of New Brunswick during a pivotal period of its history. It is a people-driven story of how local folks dealt with massive global events: the Depression, the Second World War, and post-war rebuilding. Also discussed are the political biases which held back regional development in favor of Central Canada priorities. Through a narrative writing style, a subtle transfer of critical event knowledge is presented. The depth of research makes this a foundational analysis of issues still unresolved after more than half a century of debates on education and health care reforms, and regional industrial development.

-C. Wilby, Fredericton, NB

The McNair-Flemming Years 1930-1960 provides an uncompromising look at history and events during the administrations of two important yet sparsely documented premiers. The books are well researched, describing the political and developmental issues at the time. Both books are bound to become an excellent resource for history buffs, scholars, and anyone interested in this critical period in provincial history. I look forward to the author’s next venture.

-B. Nelson, Fredericton, NB

Bookstore

VOLUME 1

Author Limited Edition Hardcover:

Volume 1 is available in a custom FriesenPress print version featuring premium paper, a glossy
paper photo section, stitched binding, and a durable matt-finish hardcover. This elegant edition
is presented in an 8.5” x 11” format, 426 pages.

For a numbered and signed hardcover version please contact James G. Long using the contact form below.
Price: $53.50 CAD + Tax

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