CA-K997Economy & trade

Sir William Coaker and the Fishermen’s Protective Union

Sir William Coaker, 1930. William Coaker · Richard Hibbs · Photo source · Photo licence: Public domain. Resized for display; item previews may be cropped. The image remains under the licence shown.

Factual accuracy review: No recorded challenge

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William Coaker founded the Fishermen’s Protective Union in 1908 to unite the fishers, sealers and loggers of rural Newfoundland under the motto “To Each His Own.” Under him the union set up trading stores, a newspaper and a political party that fought for social and economic reform, and founded Port Union as its headquarters in 1916. A member of several governments from 1917, he was a major force in Newfoundland politics until the mid-1920s.

Scope & context

Coaker as described in his designation.

Sources behind this record

Sir William Ford Coaker National Historic Person ↗

Parks Canada (Directory of Federal Heritage Designations)

Importance; plaque text