James McGrath (Canadian politician)

James Aloysius McGrath, PC (January 11, 1932 – February 28, 2017) was a politician and the eighth lieutenant governor of Newfoundland, Canada.

The Honourable James McGrath PC
8th Lieutenant Governor of Newfoundland and Labrador
In office September 5, 1986 – November 5, 1991
Monarch	Elizabeth II
Governors General	Jeanne Sauvé Ray Hnatyshyn
Premier	Brian Peckford Thomas Rideout Clyde Wells
Preceded by	Tony Paddon
Succeeded by	Frederick Russell
Member of the Canadian Parliament for St. John's East
In office June 10, 1957 – April 8, 1963
Preceded by	Allan Fraser
Succeeded by	Joseph O'Keefe
In office June 25, 1968 – September 5, 1986
Preceded by	Joseph O'Keefe
Succeeded by	Jack Harris
Personal details
Born	James Aloysius McGrath (1932-01-11)January 11, 1932 Buchans, Dominion of Newfoundland
Died	February 28, 2017(2017-02-28) (aged 85) St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
Nationality	Canadian
Political party	Progressive Conservative
Profession	sales manager

Life

As a young man, McGrath was a member of the Responsible Government League which opposed Newfoundland becoming a province of Canada. Nevertheless, upon the dominion's joining confederation in 1949, McGrath left to enlist with the Royal Canadian Air Force. He returned to Newfoundland in 1953 and became sales manager with radio station CJON. In 1955, he became secretary of the provincial Progressive Conservative Party association. In 1956, he ran unsuccessfully for the party in the provincial election.

His daughter Robin McGrath is a poet and novelist.

Federal politics

He entered federal politics the next year, and won a seat in the House of Commons of Canada in the 1957 election as the Progressive Conservative Member of Parliament (MP) for St. John's East. In 1962, McGrath became parliamentary secretary to the Minister of Mines and Technical Surveys, and served in that position until he was defeated along with the Diefenbaker government in the 1963 election.

McGrath regained his seat in the 1968 election, and remained in parliament through five subsequent elections.

When the Progressive Conservatives formed the government following the 1979 election, Prime Minister Joe Clark advised the Governor General to appoint McGrath Minister of Fisheries and Oceans. McGrath returned to the opposition bench when Clark's minority government was defeated in the 1980 election.

McGrath was not included in the Cabinet when the Tories returned to power in the 1984 election under Brian Mulroney. Instead, McGrath was appointed chairman of the Special Committee on the Reform of the House of Commons. The report he authored led to a number of procedural changes, including the introduction of election by secret ballot for the position of Speaker of the Canadian House of Commons. Its recommendations also led to the formation of the Canadian Association of Former Parliamentarians, established in 1996. McGrath also served as chairman of the Standing Committee on Human Rights.

Retirement

In August 1986, McGrath left politics to accept an appointment as Lieutenant Governor of Newfoundland. He retired from the position in 1991.

Death

McGrath died at home on February 28, 2017.

Arms

Coat of arms of James McGrath

Notes The arms of James McGrath consist of: Crest Upon a helmet mantled Rose and Vert doubled Argent on a wreath Argent, Rose and Vert a demi-lion Or gorged with an antique crown pendant therefrom a chevron Gules bearing in its dexter paw a trefoil slipped Vert. Escutcheon Tierced in pale Rose Argent and Vert over all a representation of the mace of the House of Commons of Canada in bend Or between six crosses botonny two in pale per pale Rose and Vert two in fess Argent two in bend sinister counterchanged. Supporters Two Caribou Argent langued Gules attired and unguled Or. Compartment On a rock Proper rising from waves Azure crested Argent. Motto Melius Est Nomen Bonum Quam Divitiae Multae

External links

• Biography at Government House The Governorship of Newfoundland and Labrador
• James McGrath – Parliament of Canada biography