James J. Morrison (1861-1936) was a farm leader in Ontario. A founder of the United Farmers of Ontario in 1914 and a leader of the co-operative movement. He was its general secretary during the period in which it became a political party and took power in the province following the 1919 provincial election. Motto: Ut Incepit Fidelis Sic Permanet (Latin: Loyal she began, loyal she remains) Official languages English, French (in some areas) Capital Toronto Largest city Toronto Lieutenant-Governor James K. Bartleman Premier Dalton McGuinty (Liberal) Parliamentary representation  - House seat  - Senate seats 106 24 Area  - Total  - % water Ranked 4th 1,076,395... The United Farmers of Ontario (UFO) were the Ontario section of the nation-wide United Farmers movement that arose in Canada in the early part of the 20th century. ... 1914 (MCMXIV) is a common year starting on Thursday. ... A cooperative (also co-operative or co-op) comprises a legal entity owned and democratically controlled by its members, with no passive shareholders. ... The term General Secretary (alternatively First Secretary) denotes a leader of various unions, parties or associations. ... The Ontario general election, 1919 was the fifteenth general election held in the Province of Ontario, Canada. ...

Morrison was born on his family's homestead in Peel Township, Wellington County. He worked in manufacturing in Toronto for twelve years but returned to his family's farm in 1900. Morrison became active in the agrarian movement and helped found the United Farmers of Ontario in 1914 as a farm advocacy organization. He also served as secretary of the United Farmers Co-operative Company Ltd from 1914 to 1935. The UFCC was the purchasing co-operative the UFO operated on behalf of its members. 1900 (MCM) is a common year starting on Monday. ... 1914 (MCMXIV) is a common year starting on Thursday. ... 1935 (MCMXXXV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will take you to calendar). ... Agricultural supply cooperatives are cooperatives that supply farmers with required inputs for agricultural production. ...

The UFO entered party politics in the 1919 provincial election. To everyone's surprise, it won enough seats to form a government in coalition with Labour MLAs. Morrison had hoped the UFO would be able to hold the balance of power and thus win legislation favourable to farmers but he had reservations about it forming government. The party ran without a leader and had no designated individual to serve as Premier of Ontario. Morrison was offered the position but declined in favour of E.C. Drury while Morrision contined as UFO general secretary. A coalition is an alliance between entities, during which they cooperate in joint action, each in their own self-interest. ... There have been various groups in Canada who have nominated candidates under the label Labour Party or Independent Labour Party or other variations from the 1870s until the 1960s. ... Dalton McGuinty The Premier of Ontario is the first minister for the Canadian province of Ontario. ... Ernest Charles Drury (January 22, 1878-February 17, 1968) was a farmer, politician and writer who served as Premier of Ontario, Canada, from 1919 to 1923 as the head of a United Farmers of Ontario - Labour coalition government. ... The term General Secretary (alternatively First Secretary) denotes a leader of various unions, parties or associations. ...

Morrison became a thorn in the side of the Drury government by opposing its alliance with urban workers and the labour movement. Morrison objecting to inititives by the Drury government such as a superannuation scheme for civil servants which was denounced by farmers. He also opposed attempts by the government to establish a marketing system. The lack of support by Morrison and his faction of the UFO was a contributing factor to the Drury government's defeat in 1923 after one term. The Ontario general election, 1923 was the sixteenth general election held in the Province of Ontario, Canada. ...

Morrison's daughter, Rae Luckock, became a politician and served as a Ontario Co-operative Commonwealth Federation MPP in the 1940s. The Ontario New Democratic Party (formerly known as the Ontario Cooperative Commonwealth Federation) is a social democratic political party in Ontario, Canada. ... 1940 (MCMXL) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will take you to calendar). ...

Sources

• Biographical sketch from York University archives.
• Labour and Famers in Ontario, 1919-1923