Responsibility for the RCN's wartime administrative strain extends beyond the personal dispute between Nelles and Macdonald. Apart from a brief interruption in 1926, Mackenzie King served as prime minister from 1921 to 1930 and again from 1935 to 1948. Those long periods in office gave him the opportunity to rebalance Canadian defence institutions, establish clearer civilian machinery, and prepare a framework for rapid mobilization. He did not create that system because naval preparation did not appear necessary before the emergency. The resulting strain followed from prewar political choices as well as errors made by officers during the expansion.
Notable Point · 46:19-48:13
Responsibility for Canada's prewar naval system
Prime Minister Mackenzie King had the opportunity to create and fund a naval system designed for rapid wartime expansion, yet preparation did not appear necessary before the emergency.