Sir Sam Hughes was Minister of Militia and Defence from October 1911 to November 1916. His decisive action profoundly influenced the organization of the Canadian Expeditionary Force. Sure of himself, he led his department in a manner that often brought controversy. Some of the measure he took were successful, others were failures. Sir Sam Hughes was eventually forced to tender his resignation.

Hughes was no stranger to controversy even before he entered active political life. His statements in his Lindsay newspaper had already alienated Catholic public opinion and earned him the reputation of a bigot among French Canadians. More than religious or linguistic issues, though, he was most inspired by military affairs. But even in this area, his forthright positions embarrassed his colleagues in the Conservative Party more than once, and offended the sensibilities of regular and British military authorities.

Hughes identified with the nationalist-imperialist movement that advocated a more active role for the dominions in the management of the Empire’s affairs. For him that meant the Canadianisation of local authorities. He worked toward this by promoting the militia and by finding local suppliers.

	Successes
	Failures
	Resignation