James McKay (Canadian politician) facts for kids
James McKay (born July 12, 1862 – died December 1, 1931) was an important person in Saskatchewan, Canada. He was a lawyer, a judge, and a politician. He represented the area of Prince Albert in the Canadian Parliament, called the House of Commons of Canada, from 1911 to 1914. He was a member of the Conservative Party.
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James McKay's Life and Work
James McKay was born in a place called Fort Ellice in Rupert's Land. This was a large area in Canada back then. His parents were William McKay and Mary Cook. He went to school in Fort Ellice, Westbourne, and at St. John's College in Winnipeg. While at St. John's College, he won a special award called the Dufferin Bronze Medal in 1877 for his knowledge of history.
Becoming a Lawyer and Serving His Country
McKay studied law and became a lawyer in Manitoba in 1886. While he was still a law student, he joined the Winnipeg Rifles. He served with them during the North-West Rebellion, which was a conflict in Canada in 1885.
His Legal and Political Journey
After becoming a lawyer, McKay worked in Winnipeg. In 1887, he moved his law practice to Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. He worked as a Crown prosecutor from 1888 to 1897. A Crown prosecutor is a lawyer who represents the government in court cases. In 1891, he was given the special title of King's Counsel, which is an honor for experienced lawyers. He married Florence Annie Reid in 1900.
McKay tried to become a Member of Parliament several times. He ran for the Saskatchewan (Provisional District) seat in 1896 but lost to Wilfrid Laurier, who later became Prime Minister. He also ran in Prince Albert in 1908 but was not elected. However, he finally won the seat in the 1911 federal election.
From Parliament to the Bench
James McKay left his job in the House of Commons in 1914. This was because he was appointed as a judge to the Supreme Court of Saskatchewan. Being a judge means he would decide legal cases. In 1918, he was appointed to the Court of King's Bench. Then, in 1921, he became a judge on the Court of Appeal for Saskatchewan. This court reviews decisions made by lower courts. McKay also served on the board of governors for the University of Saskatchewan, helping to guide the university.
