James Douglas Henderson
Encyclopedia
James Douglas Henderson (born January 2, 1927) was a provincial level politician from Alberta
, Canada
. He served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta
from 1963 to 1975 sitting as a member of the Social Credit caucus in both government and opposition and later as an Independent. During his time in office he served as a cabinet minister in the government of Harry Strom
from 1969 to 1971.
. He ran in a hotly contested race in the electoral district of Leduc against five other candidates. The election results were heavily divided with no candidate winning a clear majority. Henderson picked up the seat for the Social Credit party defeating incumbent Ronald Ansley who finished a distant third place and Edmonton councilor Ron Hayter
who finished fifth.
Henderson ran for a second term in the 1967 Alberta general election
. He won a larger margin of victory to hold his seat, defeating three other candidates.
Henderson was appointed as a Commissioner of Oaths
on October 24, 1967. He was appointed to the Executive Council of Alberta
by Premier Harry Strom
as Minister of Health and Minister of the Environment.
The 1971 boundary redistribution would see the Leduc electoral district abolished. Henderson ran in the new electoral district of Wetaskiwin-Leduc for the election held that year
. Henderson won a hotly contested three way race. He held his seat by a narrow margin against Progressive Conservative candidate Emanuel Pyrcz.
Because Werner Schmidt
lead the Social Credit party from outside the legislature from 1973 to 1975, Henderson was recognized as the Leader of the Opposition for a portion of 1973.
The Progressive Conservatives formed government in that election causing Henderson to lose his cabinet posts. Henderson retired at dissolution of the assembly in 1975.
Alberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. He served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta
Legislative Assembly of Alberta
The Legislative Assembly of Alberta is one of two components of the Legislature of Alberta, the other being the Queen, represented by the Lieutenant-Governor of Alberta. The Alberta legislature meets in the Alberta Legislature Building in the provincial capital, Edmonton...
from 1963 to 1975 sitting as a member of the Social Credit caucus in both government and opposition and later as an Independent. During his time in office he served as a cabinet minister in the government of Harry Strom
Harry Strom
Harry Edwin Strom was the ninth Premier of Alberta, Canada, from 1968 to 1971. His two and a half years as Premier were the last of the thirty-six year Social Credit dynasty, as his defeat by Peter Lougheed saw its replacement by a new era Progressive Conservative government...
from 1969 to 1971.
Political career
Henderson ran for a seat to the Alberta Legislature in the 1963 Alberta general electionAlberta general election, 1963
The Alberta general election of 1963 was the fifteenth general election for the Province of Alberta, Canada. It was held on June 17, 1963 to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta.The Social Credit Party, led by Ernest C...
. He ran in a hotly contested race in the electoral district of Leduc against five other candidates. The election results were heavily divided with no candidate winning a clear majority. Henderson picked up the seat for the Social Credit party defeating incumbent Ronald Ansley who finished a distant third place and Edmonton councilor Ron Hayter
Ron Hayter
Ronald John Hayter is the longest-serving city councillor of Edmonton, Alberta, having served since 1971 until 1995, when he stepped down to join the National Parole Board...
who finished fifth.
Henderson ran for a second term in the 1967 Alberta general election
Alberta general election, 1967
The Alberta general election of 1967 was the sixteenth general election for the Province of Alberta, Canada. It was held on May 23, 1967 to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta....
. He won a larger margin of victory to hold his seat, defeating three other candidates.
Henderson was appointed as a Commissioner of Oaths
Notary public
A notary public in the common law world is a public officer constituted by law to serve the public in non-contentious matters usually concerned with estates, deeds, powers-of-attorney, and foreign and international business...
on October 24, 1967. He was appointed to the Executive Council of Alberta
Executive Council of Alberta
The Executive Council of Alberta is the cabinet of that Canadian province.Almost always made up of members of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, the Cabinet is similar in structure and role to the Cabinet of Canada while being smaller in size...
by Premier Harry Strom
Harry Strom
Harry Edwin Strom was the ninth Premier of Alberta, Canada, from 1968 to 1971. His two and a half years as Premier were the last of the thirty-six year Social Credit dynasty, as his defeat by Peter Lougheed saw its replacement by a new era Progressive Conservative government...
as Minister of Health and Minister of the Environment.
The 1971 boundary redistribution would see the Leduc electoral district abolished. Henderson ran in the new electoral district of Wetaskiwin-Leduc for the election held that year
Alberta general election, 1971
The Alberta general election of 1971 was the seventeenth general election for the Province of Alberta, Canada. It was held on August 30, 1971 to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta....
. Henderson won a hotly contested three way race. He held his seat by a narrow margin against Progressive Conservative candidate Emanuel Pyrcz.
Because Werner Schmidt
Werner Schmidt
Werner Schmidt is a former Canadian politician. A teacher and school principal.-Political career:Schmidt was vice-president of Lethbridge Community College when he was chosen to succeed Harry Strom as leader of the Alberta Social Credit Party following the defeat of Strom's government in 1971...
lead the Social Credit party from outside the legislature from 1973 to 1975, Henderson was recognized as the Leader of the Opposition for a portion of 1973.
The Progressive Conservatives formed government in that election causing Henderson to lose his cabinet posts. Henderson retired at dissolution of the assembly in 1975.