Jim McDonell

For other people with similar names, see James Macdonnell (disambiguation).

James A. McDonell^[1] (born c. 1954) is a Canadian politician. He was a Progressive Conservative member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario who represented the riding of Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry. He has been an MPP from 2011 until his retirement in 2022. He was mayor of the township of South Glengarry, Ontario from 2003 to 2011.

Jim McDonell
Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing (Municipal Affairs)
In office June 29, 2018 – May 3, 2022
Minister	Steve Clark
Member of the Ontario Provincial Parliament for Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry
In office October 6, 2011 – May 3, 2022
Preceded by	Jim Brownell
Succeeded by	Nolan Quinn
Mayor of South Glengarry
In office 2003–2011
Preceded by	Charles Sangster
Succeeded by	Ian McLeod
Personal details
Born	1954 (age 70–71) South Glengarry, Ontario
Political party	Progressive Conservative
Spouse	Margie McDonell
Children	3
Residence	Williamstown, Ontario
Occupation	Engineer

Background

McDonell was born and raised on a dairy farm in South Glengarry, Ontario.^[2] He attended Queen's University where he earned a degree in engineering. He worked for Bell Canada for over 30 years in a number of roles. He and his wife Margie live in Williamstown, Ontario, where they raised their three children.

Politics

In 2000, McDonell was elected as a councillor for the township of South Glengarry.^[3] In 2003 he was elected as mayor of the township.^[4]

In the 2011 provincial election he ran as the Progressive Conservative candidate in the riding of Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry. He defeated Liberal candidate Mark MacDonald by 13,050 votes.^[5][6] He was easily re-elected in the 2014 election.^[7]

He served as the party's critic for Government and Consumer Services during his first term and on his second term served as a Member on the Standing Committee on Public Accounts as well as a Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing (Municipal Affairs).

He stood down at the 2022 Ontario general election. He was replaced in the provincial parliament by fellow PC nominee Nolan Quinn.^[8]

Electoral record

v t e 2018 Ontario general election: Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry
Party	Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Progressive Conservative	Jim McDonell	26,780	61.51	+9.79
	New Democratic	Marc Benoit	9,416	21.63	+0.72
	Liberal	Heather Megill	5,386	12.37	-10.82
	Green	Elaine Kennedy	1,596	3.67	+0.99
	Libertarian	Sabile Trimm	360	0.83	-0.68
Total valid votes			43,538	98.93
Total rejected, unmarked and declined ballots			471	1.07	-0.08
Turnout			44,009	54.10	+2.08
Eligible voters			81,342
	Progressive Conservative hold		Swing		+4.53
Source: Elections Ontario[9]

2014 Ontario general election
Party	Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Progressive Conservative	Jim McDonell	19,457	50.18	-5.07
	Liberal	John Earle	9,287	23.95	+2.29
	New Democratic	Elaine MacDonald	8,374	21.60	+0.95
	Green	Sharron Norman	1,047	2.70	+1.28
	Libertarian	Shawn McRae	608	1.57	+0.55
Total valid votes			38,773	100.00
	Progressive Conservative hold		Swing		-3.68
Source: Elections Ontario[10]

2011 Ontario general election
Party	Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Progressive Conservative	Jim McDonell	21,463	55.25	+16.47
	Liberal	Mark A. Macdonald	8,413	21.66	-27.17
	New Democratic	Elaine MacDonald	8,021	20.65	+13.32
	Green	Justin Reist	551	1.42	-2.98
	Libertarian	Darcy Neal Donnelly	396	1.02
Total valid votes			38,844	100.00
Total rejected, unmarked and declined ballots			205	0.52
Turnout			39,049	51.40
Eligible voters			75,975
	Progressive Conservative gain from Liberal		Swing		+21.82
Source: Elections Ontario[11]