Harrington was mayor of Glace Bay from 1913 to 1915 when he enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force fighting in World War I. He was elected a Conservative MLA in 1925 representing Cape Breton and his support from miners helped ensure the Conservative Party's victory in that election. Harrington became Minister of Labour in the government of Edgar N. Rhodes and became Premier of Nova Scotia when his predecessor, Edgar N. Rhodes left provincial politics to ender the federal cabinet in 1930.
During Harrington's term he was able to end ongoing labour disturbance among miners in Cape Breton which had afflicted the previous two premiers. He improved the provincial department of mines, fought for the coal and steel industries in Ottawa, and passed legislation calling for a national policy on coal and steel.
However, his government was unable to combat the Great Depression and was defeated by the Liberals in the 1933 election. Harrington remained in the legislative assembly until 1937. His government was the last Conservative government until Robert Stanfield was able to take power in 1956.
Harrington, Gordon Sidney, lawyer, politician, premier of NS (b at Halifax 7 Aug 1883; d there 4 July1943).
Educated at Dalhousie (LLB, 1904), Harrington practised law in Glace Bay.
His support from the miners contributed to the Conservatives' victory in the 1925 election and led to his appointment as minister of labour in the E.N. government.
Gordon Sidney Harrington (August 7, 1883-July 4, 1943) was a Nova Scotia politician and Premier from 1930 to 1933.
Harrington became Minister of Labour in the government of Edgar N. Rhodes and became Premier of Nova Scotia when his predecessor, Edgar N. Rhodes left provincial politics to ender the federal cabinet in 1930.
Harrington remained in the legislative assembly until 1937.