Rutherford Ministry

In February 1905, the federal government of Prime Minister Sir Wilfrid Laurier introduced legislation to create two new provinces (Alberta and Saskatchewan) from the Northwest Territories.[1] Though Haultain wanted the new provinces to be governed on the same nonpartisan basis as the Territories had been, the Liberal Laurier was expected to recommend a Liberal to serve as Lieutenant-Governor, and the Lieutenant-Governor was expected to call on a Liberal to form the new province's first government.[2] Frank Oliver was the province's most prominent Liberal, but he had just been named federal Minister of the Interior and was not interested in leaving Ottawa.[3] Peter Talbot was Laurier's preferred candidate, but he expected to be appointed to the Senate and found the latter prospect more congenial than serving as Premier of Alberta.[3] Both men supported Rutherford, but neither was enthusiastic about doing so.[4] In August, George H. V. Bulyea was appointed Alberta's first Lieutenant-Governor and later that month the Alberta Liberals selected Rutherford as their first leader.[5]

A final barrier was removed a few days later, when Frederick W. A. G. Haultain, who was a Conservative federally but who was thought to be a potential leader of a coalition government, announced that he would stay in Regina to lead the Saskatchewan Conservatives.[6] On September 2, Bulyea asked Rutherford to form the first government of Alberta.[7]

After accepting the position of premier, Rutherford selected a geographically diverse cabinet on September 6: Edmonton's Charles Wilson Cross as Attorney-General, Calgary's William Henry Cushing as Minister of Public Works, Medicine Hat's William Finlay as Minister of Agriculture and Provincial Secretary, and Lethbridge's George DeVeber as Minister without Portfolio.[8] Rutherford kept for himself the positions of Provincial Treasurer and Minister of Education.[9]

The Rutherford led Liberals gained a strong mandate in the March 1909 election and continued to form government. Provincial Secretary and Minister of Agriculture William Finlay was re-elected, but resigned from cabinet shortly after the election in November 1909 due to his poor health.[10] Rutherford appointed Duncan Marshall to cabinet as the Provincial Secretary and Minister of Agriculture, and appointed William Ashbury Buchanan and Prosper-Edmond Lessard as Minister without portfolio.