James Allan
Encyclopedia
James Noble Allan was a Canadian
politician.
After serving as mayor
of Dunnville
and warden of Haldimand County
along with various other municipal posts, Allan was first elected to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario
in the 1951 provincial election
as the Progressive Conservative Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) for Haldimand—Norfolk
. In 1955, he was appointed by Ontario Premier
Leslie Frost
to the cabinet
as Minister of Highways. At the time, this was the government's largest department, and Allan oversaw a budget of $200 million. He was in charge of 8,000 employees. During his term, 10,000 miles of highways were built.
In 1958, Allan became Frost's finance minister, and introduced the province's first sales tax
, nicknamed the "Frost bite" at a rate of 3%. When Frost retired, Allan ran in the 1961 PC leadership convention
, placing fourth.
Allan had the title of Treasurer in the new cabinet of John Robarts
until 1966 when he entered semi-retirement at the age of 71 and became a minister without portfolio
. He was the last Ontario finance minister to report a budget surplus until the late 1990s. He retired from cabinet altogether in 1968, although he kept his seat in the legislature until retiring from politics altogether when the 1975 election
was called.
From 1967 until 1988, Allan served as Chair of the Niagara Parks Commission
. On his 90th birthday the Burlington Skyway Bridge was officially renamed the "Burlington Bay James N. Allan Skyway".
As well, James Allan was the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Ontario for the years 1966 and 1967.
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...
politician.
After serving as mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
of Dunnville
Dunnville, Ontario
Dunnville is an unincorporated community of 6,000 people located near the mouth of the Grand River in Haldimand County, Ontario, Canada, near the historic Talbot Trail...
and warden of Haldimand County
Haldimand County, Ontario
Haldimand is a rural city-status single-tier municipality on the Niagara Peninsula in Southern Ontario, Canada, on the north shore of Lake Erie, and on the Grand River. Municipal offices are located in Cayuga....
along with various other municipal posts, Allan was first elected to 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...
in the 1951 provincial election
Ontario general election, 1951
The Ontario general election of 1951 was held on November 22, 1951, to elect the 90 members of the 24th Legislative Assembly of Ontario of the Province of Ontario, Canada....
as the Progressive Conservative Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) for Haldimand—Norfolk
Haldimand—Norfolk
Haldimand—Norfolk is a federal electoral district in Ontario, Canada, that has been represented in the Canadian House of Commons from 1979 to 1997, and since 2004. Its Member of Parliament is Conservative Diane Finley...
. In 1955, he was appointed by Ontario Premier
Premier of Ontario
The Premier of Ontario is the first Minister of the Crown for the Canadian province of Ontario. The Premier is appointed as the province's head of government by the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, and presides over the Executive council, or Cabinet. The Executive Council Act The Premier of Ontario...
Leslie Frost
Leslie Frost
Leslie Miscampbell Frost, was a politician in Ontario, Canada, who served as the 16th Premier from May 4, 1949 to November 8, 1961. Due to his lengthy tenure, he gained the nickname "Old Man Ontario".-Early years:...
to the cabinet
Cabinet (government)
A Cabinet is a body of high ranking government officials, typically representing the executive branch. It can also sometimes be referred to as the Council of Ministers, an Executive Council, or an Executive Committee.- Overview :...
as Minister of Highways. At the time, this was the government's largest department, and Allan oversaw a budget of $200 million. He was in charge of 8,000 employees. During his term, 10,000 miles of highways were built.
In 1958, Allan became Frost's finance minister, and introduced the province's first sales tax
Sales tax
A sales tax is a tax, usually paid by the consumer at the point of purchase, itemized separately from the base price, for certain goods and services. The tax amount is usually calculated by applying a percentage rate to the taxable price of a sale....
, nicknamed the "Frost bite" at a rate of 3%. When Frost retired, Allan ran in the 1961 PC leadership convention
Ontario Progressive Conservative leadership conventions
This page lists the results of leadership elections within the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario .Before 1920, leaders of the Conservative Party were usually chosen by caucus...
, placing fourth.
Allan had the title of Treasurer in the new cabinet of John Robarts
John Robarts
John Parmenter Robarts, PC, CC, QC was a Canadian lawyer and statesman, and the 17th Premier of Ontario.-Early life:...
until 1966 when he entered semi-retirement at the age of 71 and became a minister without portfolio
Minister without Portfolio
A minister without portfolio is either a government minister with no specific responsibilities or a minister that does not head a particular ministry...
. He was the last Ontario finance minister to report a budget surplus until the late 1990s. He retired from cabinet altogether in 1968, although he kept his seat in the legislature until retiring from politics altogether when the 1975 election
Ontario general election, 1975
The Ontario general election of 1975 was held on September 18, 1975, to elect the 125 members of the 30th Legislative Assembly of Ontario of the Province of Ontario, Canada....
was called.
From 1967 until 1988, Allan served as Chair of the Niagara Parks Commission
Niagara Parks Commission
The Niagara Parks Commission, or Niagara Parks for short, is an agency of government of Ontario which maintains the Ontario shoreline of the Niagara River.- History :...
. On his 90th birthday the Burlington Skyway Bridge was officially renamed the "Burlington Bay James N. Allan Skyway".
As well, James Allan was the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Ontario for the years 1966 and 1967.