Jim Cowan
| The Honourable James S. "Jim" Cowan, Q.C. | |
|---|---|
| Senator for Nova Scotia | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office March 24, 2005 | |
| Appointed by | Paul Martin |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 22, 1942 Halifax, Nova Scotia |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Political party | Independent |
| Spouse(s) | Shelagh Cowan |
| Children | Robert, David, Peter and Suzanne |
| Alma mater | Dalhousie University London School of Economics |
| Occupation | lawyer |
| Profession | politician |
| Committees | Standing Committee of Selection, Standing Committee on Aboriginal Peoples, Standing Committee on Agriculture and Forestry |
| Portfolio | Leader of the Opposition in the Senate |
| Religion | United |
James S. "Jim" Cowan (born January 22, 1942) is a Canadian lawyer and Senator from Nova Scotia. He was appointed to the Senate by Prime Minister Paul Martin on March 24, 2005. He represents the Liberal Party of Canada. A lawyer, Cowan has been a partner at the legal firm of Stewart McKelvey since 1967.
He received a Bachelor of Arts degree and Bachelor of Law degree from Dalhousie University. He received a Master of Laws degree in 1966 from the London School of Economics.
In November 1985, Cowan announced he would seek the leadership of the Nova Scotia Liberal Party,[1] but was defeated by Vince MacLean at the February 1986 leadership convention.[2]
On November 3, 2008 he became the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate.
On January 29, 2014, Liberal Party leader Justin Trudeau announced all Liberal Senators, including Cowan, were removed from the Liberal caucus, and would continue sitting as Independents.[3] According to Cowan, the Senators will still refer to themselves as Liberals even if they are no longer members of the parliamentary Liberal caucus.[4]
Now operating on their own from Liberal MPs, Liberal Senators then reaffirm Cowan as their leader. [5] Samuel Rettie is his Great-Great Uncle.[6]
References
- ↑ "Halifax lawyer seeking N.S. Liberal leadership". The Globe and Mail, November 2, 1985.
- ↑ "New N.S. Liberal leader expects to get ammunition from Ottawa". The Globe and Mail, February 24, 1986.
- ↑ http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/justin-trudeau-removes-senators-from-liberal-caucus-1.2515273
- ↑ "Trudeau’s expulsion catches Liberal senators by surprise". Globe and Mail. January 29, 2014. Retrieved January 29, 2014.
- ↑ http://www.hilltimes.com/news/politics/2014/02/04/senators-reaffirm-sen-cowan-as-leader-of-liberal-senate-caucus-to-hold-formal/37343
- ↑ Cowan, Mrs. Gordon (1966-1967), Notes on the Rettie family of Truro, Nova Scotia, Dalhousie University Archives, File MS-2-173, SF Box 14, Folder 7, retrieved September 14, 2013
External links
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Céline Hervieux-Payette |
Leader of the Opposition in the Senate of Canada 2008 - present |
Succeeded by incumbent |
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