James M. Smith OC (December 31, 1919 – April 14, 2017) was the longest serving commissioner of Yukon from November 7, 1966 to June 30, 1976.[2] During his tenure, he was instrumental in the creation of Kluane National Park and Reserve and the designation of the Chilkoot Trail as a National Historic Site of Canada.[citation needed] He was also responsible for creating the Arctic Winter Games along with Northwest Territories commissioner Stuart Hodgson and Alaska governor Walter Joseph Hickel.[3] He was made an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1976.[4]
James Smith | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Yukon Territorial Council | |
| In office 1958–1961 | |
| Preceded by | Jack Hulland |
| Succeeded by | John Watt |
| Constituency | Whitehorse West |
| Commissioner of Yukon | |
| In office November 7, 1966 – July 1, 1976 | |
| Prime Minister | Lester B. Pearson Pierre Trudeau |
| Preceded by | Gordon Robertson Cameron |
| Succeeded by | Arthur MacDonald Pearson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 31, 1919 Revelstoke, British Columbia |
| Died | April 14, 2017 (aged 97)[1] |
| Spouse | Dorothy Matson (m. 1947) |
| Profession | businessman |