Michael James MacDonald
| Michael James MacDonald | |
|---|---|
| Leader of the Nova Scotia Co-operative Commonwealth Federation |
|
|
In office 1953–1963 |
|
| Preceded by | Russell Cunningham |
| Succeeded by | James H. Aitchison |
| Constituency |
Nova Scotia 
|
| Member of the Legislative Assembly | |
|
In office October 23, 1945 – 1963 |
|
| Preceded by | Douglas MacDonald (CCF) |
| Succeeded by | Mike Laffin (Progressive Conservative) |
| Constituency |
Cape Breton Centre
|
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 8, 1909 |
| Died | July 3, 1997 |
| Political party | Co-operative Commonwealth Federation/New Democratic Party |
| Occupation | Trade Unionist |
Michael James MacDonald (August 8, 1909–July 3, 1997) was a union leader, coal miner, volunteer firefighter and politician in Nova Scotia.
Born and raised in Cape Breton, the son of James MacDonald, MacDonald worked in the coal mines as a young man in order to support his family following the death of his father. He was involved with the United Mine Workers of America and was president of Local Union 4521 from 1938 until 1941 when he had to quit mining after being seriously injured in a stone fall. He then worked as a salesman for a bakery in Sydney, Nova Scotia, forming a union and becoming its president.
MacDonald was also involved in the co-operative movement helping to found the Reserves Mines Credit Union and serving as its vice-president. He served as a member of the Reserve Mines Volunteer Fire Department for over 60 years having helped found it in 1934.
In the 1945 provincial election, he was elected to the Nova Scotia House of Assembly representing the Nova Scotia Co-operative Commonwealth Federation for Cape Breton Centre. He and CCF leader Russell Cunningham were the only two Opposition members in the legislature until the 1949 provincial election. He would remain a member of the assembly for 18 years.
MacDonald served as leader of the CCF from 1953 to 1963 leading the party through the 1956 and 1960 provincial election. Despite the fact that the party received almost 9% of the vote in 1960, MacDonald was the only CCFer returned either time.
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