James Malcolm (politician)

The Honourable
James Malcolm
Minister of Trade and Commerce
In office
1926–1930
Prime MinisterWilliam Lyon Mackenzie King
Preceded byJames Dew Chaplin
Succeeded byHenry Herbert Stevens
Member of the House of Commons of Canada
In office
1921–1935
Preceded byHugh Clark
Succeeded byRiding abolished
ConstituencyBruce North
Personal details
Born(1880-07-14)July 14, 1880
DiedDecember 6, 1935(1935-12-06) (aged 55)
PartyLiberal
SpouseEthel A. Swan
ProfessionBusinessman

James Malcolm, PC (14 July 1880 – 6 December 1935) was a Canadian politician and businessman. He served as the Member of Parliament for Bruce North from 1921 to 1935 and was the Minister of Trade and Commerce in the cabinet of William Lyon Mackenzie King from 1926 to 1930.[1]

Early life and career

James Malcolm was born on July 14, 1880, in Kincardine, Ontario, to Andrew Malcolm, a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, and Annie Robertson.[2] His father owned and operated a furniture company in Kincardine. Malcolm and his brother joined the family business, and he eventually became the chairman, running the Kincardine factory.

In 1905, he married Ethel A. Swan.

Political career

Malcolm was first elected to the House of Commons of Canada in the 1921 Canadian federal election, representing the Ontario riding of Bruce North. A Liberal, he was re-elected in 1925, 1926, and 1930.[1] In 1923, he chaired a Special Committee on the Civil Service Act of Canada.

From 1926 to 1930, he served as Minister of Trade and Commerce in the cabinet of Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King.[1]

Legacy

In 1928, Malcolm became the first Canadian to make a public address by trans-Atlantic telephone, delivering a speech from Ottawa to the British Empire Exhibition in Cardiff, Wales.[3]

In 1923, Malcolm purchased a large mansion in Kincardine. The building still stands today as a retirement residence and is named 'Malcolm Place' in his honour.[2]

Archives

There is a James Malcolm fonds at Library and Archives Canada.[4]

References

  1. ^ a b c
  2. ^ a b "The History of Malcolm Place". Archived from the original on 29 March 2018. Retrieved 10 July 2017.
  3. ^ Borins, Sanford F.; Kernaghan, Kenneth; Brown, David (2007). Digital State at the Leading Edge. University of Toronto Press. p. 225. ISBN 9780802094902.
  4. ^ "Finding aid to James Malcom fonds, Library and Archives Canada" (PDF). Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 8 September 2020.