David James McFadden
Encyclopedia
David James McFadden is a Canadian lawyer
, businessman and former politician
. He served in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario
from 1985 to 1987, as a member of the Progressive Conservative Party
.
McFadden was born in Thunder Bay. He was educated at the University of Toronto
, and at the Osgoode Hall Law School
at York University
. After graduation, he became a partner in the law firm of McFadden, Marrocco and Parker. He served as vice-president of the Ontario Progressive Conservative Association from 1968 to 1980, and as president from 1980 to 1986. He helped to rebuild the party's grass-roots organization in the mid-1970s, and chaired both of the party's leadership conventions
in 1985.
He was elected to the Ontario legislature in the 1985 provincial election
, defeating Liberal
candidate Dianne Poole
by 914 votes in Eglinton. The Progressive Conservatives won a minority government
in this election, and McFadden briefly served as a backbench supporter of Frank Miller
's administration before it was defeated in the house. In opposition, he served as his party's critic for Colleges and Universities, Technology and Trade. He lost to Dianne Poole in the 1987 election
by 695 votes.
McFadden served as a director of the Toronto Board of Trade from 1993 to 2001, and is now the chair of Gowlings' National Energy and Infrastructure Industry Group. In 2003, he was appointed by the Government of Canada to serve as a member of the Electric System Working Group, which examined the causes of a major power blackout in the Northeastern United States and Canada. McFadden has also served in numerous other positions in the Toronto business community.
Lawyer
A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
, businessman and former politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
. He served in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario
Legislative Assembly of Ontario
The Legislative Assembly of Ontario , is the legislature of the Canadian province of Ontario, and is the second largest provincial legislature of Canada...
from 1985 to 1987, as a member of the Progressive Conservative Party
Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario
The Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario , is a right-of-centre political party in Ontario, Canada. The party was known for many years as "Ontario's natural governing party." It has ruled the province for 80 of the years since Confederation, including an uninterrupted run from 1943 to 1985...
.
McFadden was born in Thunder Bay. He was educated at the University of Toronto
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
, and at the Osgoode Hall Law School
Osgoode Hall Law School
Osgoode Hall Law School is a Canadian law school, located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada and affiliated with York University. Named after the first Chief Justice of Ontario, William Osgoode, the law school was established by The Law Society of Upper Canada in 1889 and was the only accredited law...
at York University
York University
York University is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is Canada's third-largest university, Ontario's second-largest graduate school, and Canada's leading interdisciplinary university....
. After graduation, he became a partner in the law firm of McFadden, Marrocco and Parker. He served as vice-president of the Ontario Progressive Conservative Association from 1968 to 1980, and as president from 1980 to 1986. He helped to rebuild the party's grass-roots organization in the mid-1970s, and chaired both of the party's leadership conventions
Ontario Progressive Conservative leadership conventions, 1985
In 1985, the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party held two leadership elections: one in January, and one in November.-The January Convention:The January convention was held at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto to choose a replacement for William Davis, who had served as Ontario PC leader and Premier...
in 1985.
He was elected to the Ontario legislature in the 1985 provincial election
Ontario general election, 1985
The Ontario general election of 1985 was held on May 2, 1985, to elect members of the 33rd Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, Canada...
, defeating Liberal
Ontario Liberal Party
The Ontario Liberal Party is a provincial political party in the province of Ontario, Canada. It has formed the Government of Ontario since the provincial election of 2003. The party is ideologically aligned with the Liberal Party of Canada but the two parties are organizationally independent and...
candidate Dianne Poole
Dianne Poole
Dianne Poole is a former politician in Ontario, Canada. She served as a Liberal member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1987 to 1995....
by 914 votes in Eglinton. The Progressive Conservatives won a minority government
Minority government
A minority government or a minority cabinet is a cabinet of a parliamentary system formed when a political party or coalition of parties does not have a majority of overall seats in the parliament but is sworn into government to break a Hung Parliament election result. It is also known as a...
in this election, and McFadden briefly served as a backbench supporter of Frank Miller
Frank Miller (politician)
Frank Stuart Miller, was a Canadian politician, who served as the 19th Premier of Ontario for four months in 1985.-Early life and political career:...
's administration before it was defeated in the house. In opposition, he served as his party's critic for Colleges and Universities, Technology and Trade. He lost to Dianne Poole in the 1987 election
Ontario general election, 1987
The Ontario general election of 1987 was held on September 10, 1987, to elect members of the 34th Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, Canada.The governing Ontario Liberal Party, led by David Peterson, was returned to power with a large majority...
by 695 votes.
McFadden served as a director of the Toronto Board of Trade from 1993 to 2001, and is now the chair of Gowlings' National Energy and Infrastructure Industry Group. In 2003, he was appointed by the Government of Canada to serve as a member of the Electric System Working Group, which examined the causes of a major power blackout in the Northeastern United States and Canada. McFadden has also served in numerous other positions in the Toronto business community.