David James Walker

Who was David James Walker?

David James Walker, PC was a Canadian politician.

Born in Toronto, Ontario, he was educated at Jarvis Collegiate Institute, the University of Toronto and Osgoode Hall Law School. He was called to the Ontario Bar in 1931.

He was first elected to the Canadian House of Commons for the Toronto riding of Rosedale in the 1957 election after first losing the 1953 election. A Progressive Conservative, he was re-elected in 1958 but was defeated in 1962. From 1957 to 1958, he was the Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General. From 1959 to 1962, he was the Minister responsible for National Capital Commission, Minister responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, and Minister of Public Works in the cabinet of John Diefenbaker.

A long-time friend of John Diefenbaker, he was Best Man at Diefenbaker's second wedding to Olive Diefenbaker in 1953. As well, he nominated Diefenbaker for leadership at the 1942 Winnipeg Progressive Conservative leadership convention and was his campaign manager in 1948. In 1963, he was appointed to the Senate of Canada representing the senatorial division of Toronto. He resigned in 1989.

Walker opposed Pierre Elliott Trudeau's proposed Senate reforms in 1969.