James (Jimmy) Sinclair

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. 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, and was the only MP who served in WWII. A Liberal, he was re-elected in 1945, 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.

The Sinclair Centre in Vancouver is named after him.

GEDCOM Note

Bio notes: James Sinclair-He was a Canadian politician and businessman. Sinclair was born in Banff, Scotland, the son of Betsy (née Ross) and James George Sinclair. 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, and was the only MP who served in WWII. A Liberal, he was re-elected in 1945, 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. The Sinclair Centre in Vancouver is named after him. He died in 1984.