W.A.C. Bennett was a Canadian politician who served as the leader of the Social Credit Party of British Columbia and the Premier of British Columbia from 1952 to 1972. He is known for his long tenure as premier and his efforts to promote economic development in the province. Bennett was born in Hastings, New Brunswick, in 1900 and moved to British Columbia as a young man. He worked as a teacher and then a businessman before entering politics. In the 1940s, he became involved in the Social Credit Party and was elected to the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia in 1952. As premier, Bennett pursued a number of initiatives to stimulate economic growth in the province, including the construction of hydroelectric dams and the development of resource industries such as forestry, mining, and oil and gas. He also implemented social and welfare programs, including a system of universal healthcare, and initiated a number of infrastructure projects, including the construction of the Coquihalla Highway and the expansion of the provincial highway system. Bennett remained in office for 20 years, until 1972, when he was defeated by the British Columbia New Democratic Party led by Dave Barrett. He died in 1979 at the age of 78.

W.A.C. Bennett, as premier of British Columbia from 1952 to 1972, had issued several policies during his tenure . Some of his notable policy decisions and initiatives include:

• Construction of the W.A.C Bennett Dam on the Peace River, which helped generate hydroelectric power and created a large reservoir for irrigation and other uses.
• Developing of the British Columbia highways and road infrastructure throughout the province, known as the ‘Highway of Tomorrow’
• Focus on resource development, including mining, forestry, and oil and gas exploration.
• Introduction of the Family Allowances Act, which provided financial assistance to families with children
• Creation of the British Columbia Development Corporation, a Crown corporation that invested in economic development projects throughout the province
• Expansion of the British Columbia ferry system, which was a key transportation link for many coastal communities.
• Some controversial polices such as forced relocation of indigenous people to build WAC Bennett Dam, suppressing Indigenous Rights and forced them to assimilate into the dominant culture.
  
  Some notable events include:
  • The construction and completion of the W.A.C. Bennett Dam on the Peace River in 1968, which was one of the largest hydroelectric power projects in the province's history.
  • The 1958 British Columbia general election, in which Bennett and the Social Credit Party were re-elected with a landslide majority.
  • The 1962 trade mission to Asia, in which Bennett led a delegation of British Columbia business leaders to Japan, Hong Kong, and the Philippines in order to promote trade and investment opportunities in the province.
  • The 1964 British Columbia general election, in which Bennett and the Social Credit Party were re-elected for a fourth consecutive term.
  • The 1967 Canada's centennial, Bennett government hosted a number of events and activities to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Canada's confederation.
  • The 1972 British Columbia general election, in which Bennett and the Social Credit Party were defeated by the New Democratic Party, led by Dave Barrett. This marked the end of Bennett's premiership and the start of a new era in British Columbia politics.
  • Indigenous rights Movement and Protests during his tenure, specifically against the construction of WAC Bennett Dam, that affected indigenous communities and caused forced relocations.