In the aftermath of the Regina Riot and the continued stranglehold of the Depression, Regina citizens turned to the Labour Party for new ideas. Alban Cedric Ellison, a former councilor born in England in 1889, was elected mayor in late 1935 along with six fellow Labour Party councilors in one of the largest Labour sweeps in Canadian civic politics. Ellison, a young lawyer and naval reserve officer, was popularly known as Regina's “sailor mayor” for his continuing interest in the navy. He defeated Henry Black in the 1937 civic elections, and won by acclamation in 1938. In 1939, he reluctantly ran again under the Labour banner, but with the easing of the Depression Labor support had dwindled and reputedly fallen to more radical elements. Defeated by James Grassick, Ellison returned to active duty with the navy in World War II.
Merle Massie