Until Justin Trudeau makes his final decision as to whether he’ll be running for the Liberal leadership or not, we’ll no doubt be treated to endless journalistic wheel spinning from various quarters. Most of the tripe we’ve been subjected to so far revolves around the obvious comparisons between Mr. Trudeau and his famous father, forecasting his political future based on the narrow view of his likeness to his father, or lack thereof.
The fact of the matter is that no one can really predict what the future might hold for Justin Trudeau’s political career should he choose to run for Liberal leadership. But if we’re going to read the tea leaves based on the past achievements of a politician he shares DNA with, then the career of Trudeau’s maternal grandfather, James Sinclair, is as good an indicator of future success as any other.
While little information is available online to tell us about the political career of James Sinclair, he seems to have been a person with diverse interests and experiences who fought for his country. dedicated a good portion of his life to public service and was not afraid of a challenge.
From Wikipedia:
James Sinclair was born in Banff, Scotland and moved to Vancouver with his family in 1911. He studied engineering at the University of British Columbia and was awarded a Rhodes scholarship in 1928 to study mathematics at the University of Oxford. He also studied mathematical physics at Princeton University.
During World War II, he served with the Royal Canadian Air Force in North Africa, Malta, and Sicily.
Running for the Liberals, he was first elected to the Canadian House of Commons during the war, representing the riding of Vancouver North in the 1940, and was the only MP who served in WWII.
He was re-elected in 1945, 1949, 1953, and 1957 in the riding of Coast-Capilano. From 1949 to 1952, he was the Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Finance. From 1952 to 1957, he was the Minister of Fisheries. After leaving politics, from 1958 to 1960, he was the President of Fisheries Association of British Columbia. From 1960 to 1970, he was President and Chairman of Lafarge Cement of North America. From 1970 to 1973, he was Deputy Chairman of Canada Cement Lafarge Limited.
From RCAF Fighter Squadron On Sicily’s Front Line:
“While pilots flew their Spitfires to Sicily led by their new commanding officer, Sqdn. Ldr. P. Stanley Turner, D.F.C. and Bar, a Toronto, ground personnel and the administrative staff made the sea voyage by ultra-modern landing craft.
“Under cover of night they slipped across from Malta where they had been operating since shortly after the collapse of Tunisia and for the first time set foot on Italian soil.
“Everything had been meticulous1y rehearsed and went according to plan. The prows of the landing craft grated on the stony shore ramp were dropped and vehicles and men poured out onto the beach without a hitch. First officers to land were FO. John Emans, Saskatoon, the adjutant, Flt. Lt. James Sinclair, M.P., of Vancouver.
“The first other rank to leap ashore was the squadron disciplinarian, Flt. Sgt. Steve Lisoweski, Winnipeg.
The men and equipment roared across the beach and careened up a stony road to the newly captured aerodrome.
“Little knots of civilians lined the roads, their expressions varying from sullenness to openly cordial smiles. There was no suggestion of resistance from the populace.
In an amazingly short time the once unserviceable field was ready for R.C.A.F. Spitfires which were to bolster Allied air strength on the beleaguered island.
