Exhibition Park in Guelph in Wellington County, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
The Honourable George Alexander Drew, C.C.
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L’Honorable George Alexander Drew, C.C.
1894-1973
Photographed by Tim Boyd, July 24, 2026
1. The Honourable George Alexander Drew, C.C. Marker
The Honourable George Alexander Drew, C.C.
George Alexander Drew, Premier of Ontario from 1943-1948, was born in Guelph, Ontario in 1894. Educated at Upper Canada College, the University of Toronto and Osgoode Hall, Drew served in the First World War as an artillery lieutenant. He practised law in Guelph, entered municipal politics there in 1922 and became mayor in 1925. Drew was the first chair of the Ontario Securities Commission (1931-1934). Chosen as leader of the Ontario Conservative Party in 1938, he became premier in 1943 with a sweeping and progressive social and economic platform that laid the foundation for a 42-year-long political dynasty. Drew resigned in 1948 to lead the federal Progressive Conservatives, but was defeated in the next two general elections and left politics in 1956. He was appointed Canadian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom (1957-1964), Chancellor of the new University of Guelph (1965-1971) and was made a Companion of the Order of Canada in 1967. George Drew died in Toronto in 1973.
George Alexander Drew, premier ministre de l'Ontario de 1943 à 1948, est né à Guelph, en Ontario, en 1894. Il fait ses études à l'Upper Canada College, à l'Université de Toronto et à Osgoode Hall et sert en tant que lieutenant dans l'artillerie lors de la Première Guerre mondiale. Il pratique le droit à Guelph, s'engage dans la politique municipale en 1922 et devient maire de la ville en 1925. George Alexander Drew est le premier président de la Commission des valeurs mobilières de l'Ontario (1931-1934). Élu à la tête du Parti conservateur de l'Ontario en 1938, il premier ministre en 1943 grâce à un programme électoral radical et sur les questions sociale et économique, inaugurant ainsi une dynastie politique qui gouverne la province pendant les quarante-deux années à venir. George Alexander Drew démissionne en 1948 pour prendre la tête du Parti progressiste-conservateur fédéral. Il subit une défaite lors des deux élections générales suivantes et quitte la politique en 1956. Il est nommé haut-commissaire du Canada au Royaume-Uni (1957-1964), chancelier de la nouvelle Université de Guelph (1965-1971) et accède au rang de Compagnon de l'Ordre du Canada en 1967. George Alexander Drew meurt à Toronto en 1973.
Erected 2011
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Government & Politics. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Ontario Heritage Trust series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1894.
Location. 43° 32.61′ N, 80° 15.557′ W. Marker is in Guelph, Ontario, in Wellington County. It is in Exhibition Park. It is at the intersection of Yorkshire Street North and Oxford Street, on the left when traveling north on Yorkshire Street North. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 154 Yorkshire St N, Guelph ON N1H 2P3, Canada. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Huron-Perth-Waterloo-Wellington Area and in Southwestern Ontario. It is also in Central Canada. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony, the Viceroyalty of New France, the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, and Rupert’s Land.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Guelph Public Library / Bibliothèque publique de Guelph
Photographed by Tim Boyd, July 24, 2026
2. The Honourable George Alexander Drew, C.C. / L’Honorable George Alexander Drew, C.C. Marker
Photographed by Tim Boyd, July 24, 2026
3. The Honourable George Alexander Drew, C.C. / L’Honorable George Alexander Drew, C.C. Marker
4. The Honourable George Alexander Drew, 1939
Library and Archives Canada (public domain)
Credits. This page was last revised on July 31, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 29, 2026, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 7 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 29, 2026, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
