[2] Stevens served as Minister of Trade in the Arthur Meighen government of 1921,[citation needed] and as Minister of Trade and Commerce from 1930 to 1934 in the Depression-era government of R. B.
Stevens argued for drastic economic reform and government intervention in the economy.
He quit the Bennett government and formed the Reconstruction Party when it became evident that the Tories would not implement the proposals of the Price-Spreads Commission.
Despite receiving 8.7% of the vote, the party won only one seat in the House of Commons of Canada - H. H. Stevens in Kootenay East riding.
Fifteen points summarized the "New National Policy of Reconstruction and Reform":