James Duggan (politician)
Encyclopedia
James Duggan was a union leader and politician who was described by Joey Smallwood
as one of the earliest and staunchest supporters of Newfoundland
's entry into Canada
.
Duggan was born in Riverhead
, Newfoundland. At the age of 17 he obtained a job with the Reid Newfoundland Company as a railway telegrapher and also worked as a station agent and dispatcher. He became active as a trade union
ist at the age of 20 and, in 1939, became general chairman of the Order of Railroad Telegraphers. In the 1940s he was a prominent member of the Newfoundland Confederate Association which promoted union with Canada. After Newfoundland joined confederation in 1949, the Confederate Association reorganized itself as the Newfoundland Liberal Party.
He was named to the Canadian Senate
in 1966 by Prime Minister Lester Pearson and retired from the body in 1978.
Joey Smallwood
Joseph Roberts "Joey" Smallwood, PC, CC was the main force that brought Newfoundland into the Canadian confederation, and became the first Premier of Newfoundland . As premier, he vigorously promoted economic development, championed the welfare state, and emphasized modernization of education and...
as one of the earliest and staunchest supporters of Newfoundland
Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador is the easternmost province of Canada. Situated in the country's Atlantic region, it incorporates the island of Newfoundland and mainland Labrador with a combined area of . As of April 2011, the province's estimated population is 508,400...
's entry into 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...
.
Duggan was born in Riverhead
Riverhead, Newfoundland and Labrador
Riverhead was a small village of 20 families in 1864. It is now a town in the St. Mary's area with a population of over 400 by 1968.-See also:*List of cities and towns in Newfoundland and Labrador...
, Newfoundland. At the age of 17 he obtained a job with the Reid Newfoundland Company as a railway telegrapher and also worked as a station agent and dispatcher. He became active as a trade union
Trade union
A trade union, trades union or labor union is an organization of workers that have banded together to achieve common goals such as better working conditions. The trade union, through its leadership, bargains with the employer on behalf of union members and negotiates labour contracts with...
ist at the age of 20 and, in 1939, became general chairman of the Order of Railroad Telegraphers. In the 1940s he was a prominent member of the Newfoundland Confederate Association which promoted union with Canada. After Newfoundland joined confederation in 1949, the Confederate Association reorganized itself as the Newfoundland Liberal Party.
He was named to the Canadian Senate
Canadian Senate
The Senate of Canada is a component of the Parliament of Canada, along with the House of Commons, and the monarch . The Senate consists of 105 members appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister...
in 1966 by Prime Minister Lester Pearson and retired from the body in 1978.