M. J. Coldwell
Canadian socialist politician (1888–1974) / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Major James William Coldwell PC CC (December 2, 1888 – August 25, 1974), usually known as M. J. Coldwell,[lower-alpha 1] was a Canadian democratic socialist politician, and leader of the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) party from 1942 to 1960.
M. J. Coldwell | |
---|---|
2nd Leader of the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation | |
In office July 29, 1942 – August 10, 1960 | |
Preceded by | J. S. Woodsworth |
Succeeded by | Hazen Argue |
2nd National Chairman of the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation | |
In office 1938–1942 | |
Preceded by | J. S. Woodsworth |
Succeeded by | F. R. Scott |
Member of Parliament for Rosetown—Biggar | |
In office October 14, 1935 – March 30, 1958 | |
Preceded by | New Constituency |
Succeeded by | Clarence Owen Cooper |
1st National Secretary of the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation | |
In office 1934–1936 | |
Preceded by | new office |
Succeeded by | David Lewis |
1st Leader of the Saskatchewan Co-operative Commonwealth Federation | |
In office 1932–1936 | |
Preceded by | new office |
Succeeded by | George Hara Williams |
Member of the Regina City Council | |
In office 1922–1932 | |
Personal details | |
Born | Major James William Coldwell (1888-12-02)December 2, 1888 Seaton, Devon, England |
Died | August 25, 1974(1974-08-25) (aged 85) Ottawa, Ontario, Canada |
Political party | |
Spouse |
Norah Dunsford Coldwell
(m. 1912) |
Children | 2[1] |
Residence(s) | Ottawa, Ontario, Canada |
Occupation |
|
Born in England, he immigrated to Canada in 1910. Prior to his political career, he had been an educator and union activist. In 1935, he was elected to the House of Commons of Canada, representing the Rosetown—Biggar electoral district. He was re-elected five more times before he was defeated in the 1958 Diefenbaker sweep. He was the CCF's first national secretary in 1934 and became its national leader upon the death of J. S. Woodsworth in 1942. He remained as its leader until 1960, when there was a parliamentary caucus revolt against him. When the CCF was disbanded 1961, he joined its successor party, the NDP.
He is remembered mainly for helping to introduce "welfare state" policies to Canada, by persuading the Canadian government to introduce an Old Age Security programme, and child benefits during the mid-1940s. Coldwell turned down several offers to cross the floor and join the governing Liberal Party of Canada, including one offer that eventually would have made him the Prime Minister of Canada. After his defeat in 1958, he was offered a Senate appointment but declined it as well. He became a member of the Privy Council in 1964 and in 1967 became one of the initial inductees into the Order of Canada.