Jim Hawkes facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jim Hawkes
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| Member of the Canadian Parliament for Calgary West |
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| In office 1979–1993 |
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| Preceded by | Riding created in 1976 |
| Succeeded by | Stephen Harper |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Frederick James Hawkes
June 21, 1934 Calgary, Alberta, Canada |
| Died | May 9, 2019 (aged 84) Calgary, Alberta, Canada |
| Political party | Progressive Conservative |
| Spouse |
Joanne Christian Herriot
(m. 1957; died 2013) |
| Children | 3, including Terri Hawkes |
Frederick James Hawkes (born June 21, 1934 – died May 9, 2019) was a Canadian politician. He was a Member of Parliament (MP) for the area of Calgary West from 1979 to 1993. This means he was elected by the people of Calgary West to represent them in Canada's government.
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Jim Hawkes' Early Life and Schooling
Jim Hawkes was born in Calgary, Alberta. He went to Sir George Williams College, which is now called Concordia University. He earned a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in 1957. This is usually the first university degree someone gets.
Later, Hawkes went back to school to study psychology, which is the study of the mind and behavior. He earned a Master of Science (M.Sc.) degree from the University of Calgary in 1968. He then got a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in experimental psychology from Colorado State University in 1970. A Ph.D. is the highest university degree.
In 1971, Hawkes started working as a professor at the University of Calgary. He taught in the Faculty of Social Welfare. In 1975, he received "tenure," which means he had a permanent teaching position.
Jim Hawkes' Political Journey
From 1976 to 1977, Jim Hawkes worked for Joe Clark. At that time, Joe Clark was the leader of the Progressive Conservative Party. He was also the Leader of the Opposition, meaning he led the main party not in power.
In 1979, Hawkes decided to run for election himself. He was the candidate for the Progressive Conservative Party in the Calgary West area. He won the election and became a Member of Parliament in the House of Commons. The House of Commons is where Canada's laws are made.
He was re-elected by voters three more times: in 1980, 1984, and 1988. This shows that people in Calgary West trusted him to represent them.
Working with Stephen Harper
From 1985 to 1986, a young man named Stephen Harper worked as Jim Hawkes' main helper. Stephen Harper later became the Prime Minister of Canada. Harper's time working in Ottawa was short. He later said that this experience made him feel disappointed with politics.
In the 1988 election, Jim Hawkes was re-elected. His main opponent in that election was his former helper, Stephen Harper. Harper was now running for a new political group called the Reform Party of Canada.
From 1988 to 1993, Jim Hawkes also had an important job called the Chief Government Whip. This role involves making sure that members of his party vote together on important issues in the House of Commons.
In the 1993 federal election, Jim Hawkes did not win his seat. He came in third place. Stephen Harper won that election. Many other Progressive Conservative MPs also lost their seats in that election.
Jim Hawkes' Family and Later Years
In 1957, Jim Hawkes married Joanne Christine Herriot. She passed away in 2013. They had two children who lived: Teresa Anne, known as "Terri," born in 1958, and Robert James, born in 1961. Their son, Robert, became a very skilled chess player, reaching the "Master" level when he was a teenager. They also had another daughter, Colleen Rose, who sadly died just four days after she was born.
In his last years, Jim Hawkes had dementia, a health condition that affects memory and thinking. He passed away in Calgary on May 9, 2019, when he was 84 years old.
