<P> Mackenzie King returned as prime minister, serving until his retirement in 1948 . During all but the last two years he was also secretary of state for external affairs, taking personal charge of foreign policy . </P> <P> Social Credit (often called SoCred) was a populist political movement strongest in Alberta and neighbouring British Columbia, 1930s - 1970s . Social Credit was based on the economic theories of an Englishman, C.H. Douglas . His theories became very popular across the nation in the early 1930s . A central proposal was the free distribution of prosperity certificates (or social credit), called "funny money" by the opposition . </P> <P> During the Great Depression in Canada the demand for radical action peaked around 1934, after the worst period was over and the economy was recovering . Mortgage debt was significant because farmers could not meet their interest payments . The insecurity of farmers, whose debts were increasing and who had no legal protection against foreclosure, was a potent factor in creating a mood of political desperation . The radical farmers party, UFA was baffled by the depression and Albertans demanded new leadership . </P> <P> Prairie farmers had always believed that they were being exploited by Toronto and Montreal . What they lacked was a prophet who would lead them to the promised land . The Social Credit movement began in Alberta in 1932; it became a political movement in 1935 and suddenly burned like a prairie fire . The prophet and new premier was radio evangelist William Aberhart (1878--1943). The message was biblical prophecy . Aberhart was a fundamentalist, preaching the revealed word of God and quoting the Bible to find a solution for the evils of the modern, materialistic world: the evils of sophisticated academics and their biblical criticism, the cold formality of middle - class congregations, the vices of dancing and movies and drink . "Bible Bill" preached that the capitalist economy was rotten because of its immorality; specifically it produced goods and services but did not provide people with sufficient purchasing power to enjoy them . This could be remedied by the giving out money in the form of "social credit", or $25 a month for every man and woman . This pump priming was guaranteed to restore prosperity, he prophesied to the 1600 Social Credit clubs he formed in the province . </P>

Who was involved in the great depression in canada