William Stevens Fielding (24 March 1848 – 30 August 1919) was a Canadian journalist, businessman, and Liberal politician. Born in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, Fielding entered public life as a newspaper editor before pursuing a career in politics.
He was first elected to the House of Commons of Canada representing the electoral district of Antigonish in the 1882 federal election and held the seat through successive elections until 1900. During his tenure in Parliament, Fielding served as the leader of the Liberal Party of Nova Scotia from 1884 to 1905, promoting provincial development projects, particularly in railway construction and resource exploitation.
Following the Liberal Party’s return to power under Prime Minister Sir Wilfrid Laurier, Fielding was appointed Minister of Finance in 1905. In this capacity, he oversaw federal fiscal policy during a period of economic growth, advocating for tariff reductions and increased public investment. He remained Finance Minister until the Liberal defeat in the 1911 federal election.
After leaving the cabinet, Fielding continued to be active in public affairs, holding various business interests and serving in advisory roles until his appointment to the Senate of Canada in 1917, where he served until his death in 1919.
Fielding’s contributions to Canadian financial policy and his advocacy for infrastructure development have been noted in historical accounts of early‑20th‑century Canadian politics. His career reflects the broader trends of Liberal economic reform and nation‑building during the Laurier era.