William Lyon Mackenzie King

:Not to be confused with William Lyon Mackenzie, Mackenzie King's grandfather.

The "King-Byng" Affair

Main article: King-Byng Affair

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In his first term as Prime Minister, he was opposed by the Progressive Party, which did not support trade tariffs. King called an election in 1925, in which the Conservatives won the most seats, but not a majority in the House of Commons. King held onto power with the support of the Progressives. Soon into his term, however, a bribery scandal in the Department of Customs was revealed, which led to more support for the Conservatives and Progressives, and the possibility that King would be forced to resign. King asked Governor General Lord Byng to dissolve Parliament and call another election, but Byng refused, the only time in Canadian history that the Governor General has exercised such a power. King resigned, and Byng asked Meighen to form a new government. When Meighen's government was defeated in the House of Commons a short time later, however, Byng called a new election in 1926. King and the Liberals returned to power.

Related Topics:
Progressive Party - Tariff - Election in 1925 - Conservatives - House of Commons - Governor General - Lord Byng - Canadian history - Election in 1926

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