James Sinclair (politician)

The Hon.
James Sinclair
Member of the Canadian Parliament
for Vancouver North
In office
1940–1949
Preceded by Charles Grant MacNeil
Succeeded by Riding was abolished in 1947
Member of the Canadian Parliament
for Coast—Capilano
In office
1949–1958
Preceded by Riding was created in 1947
Succeeded by William Hector Payne
Personal details
Born May 26, 1908
Banff, Scotland
Died February 7, 1984 (aged 75)
Political party Liberal
Spouse(s) Doris Kathleen Sinclair (née Bernard b. 1920 - d. 2012)
Relations Pierre Trudeau, son-in-law
Justin Trudeau, grandson
Alexandre Trudeau, grandson
Michel Trudeau, grandson
Children Margaret Trudeau, daughter
Cabinet Minister of Fisheries (1952–1957)

James Sinclair, PC (May 26, 1908 – February 7, 1984) was a Canadian politician and businessman.

Life and career

Sinclair was born in Banff, Scotland, the son of Betsy (née Ross) and James George Sinclair.[1] He moved to Vancouver with his family in 1911. He studied engineering at the University of British Columbia and was awarded a Rhodes scholarship in 1928 to study mathematics at the University of Oxford. He also studied mathematical physics at Princeton University. During World War II, he served with the Royal Canadian Air Force in North Africa, Malta, and Sicily.

He was first elected to the Canadian House of Commons representing the riding of Vancouver North in the 1940 federal election. A Liberal, he was re-elected in 1945 in the riding of Vancouver North, and in 1949, 1953, and 1957 in the riding of Coast-Capilano. He was defeated in the 1958 federal election. From 1949 to 1952, he was the Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Finance. From 1952 to 1957, he was the Minister of Fisheries.

From 1958 to 1960, he was the President of Fisheries Association of British Columbia. From 1960 to 1970, he was President and Chairman of Lafarge Cement of North America. From 1970 to 1973, he was Deputy Chairman of Canada Cement Lafarge Limited.

Married to Doris Kathleen (née Bernard), he is the father of Margaret Sinclair, one-time wife of Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, and grandfather of Justin Trudeau, Alexandre Trudeau and Michel Trudeau.

The Sinclair Centre a shopping complex in Vancouver is named after him.

References

  1. ↑ Johnson, J. Keith; Public Archives of Canada (1968). The Canadian directory of Parliament, 1867-1967. Queen's Printer. p. 532.

External links