John W. McDonald

John Walter McDonald (May 21, 1878 – November 8, 1950) was a Canadian lawyer, judge and provincial politician from Alberta. He served as Mayor of Fort Macleod, Alberta, Chief Judge of the District Court of Southern Alberta, and also led the Alberta Liberal Party for a brief period from 1930 to 1932.

Early life

John W. McDonald was born in Vaughan, Ontario. He took his post secondary education at the University of Toronto graduated with a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Civil Law in 1905 and became a lawyer. McDonald married his wife Margaret in 1907.

McDonald ran for leader of the Alberta Liberal Party after Joseph Shaw resigned. He was elected in a hotly contested race at a convention held on March 28, 1930. He won the leadership on the third ballot against Hugh John Montgomery and William Howson.

The 1930 Alberta general election was held three months later. McDonald led the Liberals to four seat gain over the last election despite losing almost 2% of their popular vote. In his constituency McDonald was badly defeated having run for the second time against Shield in a two-way race.

After the election McDonald remained leader of the party, the question of his leadership became a turbulent one as Liberals wondered who would represent them at the opening of the house. Rumors began swirling in the aftermath about a parliamentary coalition being formed with the Conservatives which both parties flatly denied. McDonald tried to find a seat, the nearest Liberal MLA Harvey Bossenberry representing Pincher Creek flatly denied he would resign to provide a by-election for McDonald.

The Alberta Liberals held their annual convention on November 29, 1930. The sixty delegates in attendance gave confidence to McDonald's party leadership on the condition that he must seek election at the first opportunity. The leadership question of the Assembly was fixed when the Liberal caucus chose George Webster as House Leader. McDonald continued on as Leader for another year before tendering his resignation on March 1, 1932.

Later life McDonald was appointed as a Judge for the District Court of Southern Alberta on May 24, 1940, and was subsequently appointed Chief Judge on March 18, 1944. He served in this role until his death in Calgary on November 8, 1950.