James Young (Canadian politician)

James Young (May 24, 1835 – January 29, 1913) was an Ontario businessman, journalist and politician. He represented Waterloo South in the Canadian House of Commons as a Liberal member from 1867 to 1878.

He was born in Galt in Upper Canada in 1835, the son of Scottish immigrants. He worked with a local newspaper and then bought several newspapers in the area in 1853 which he continued to publish until around 1863. He also wrote articles for other journals in the province. He became a partner in a wheel factory at Galt and also served on the town council.

James Young married Margaret McNaught, daughter of John McNaught and his wife (née Kirkpatrick), on February 11, 1858. The couple resided at "Thornhill" in Galt, Ontario.

In 1867, he was elected to the 1st Canadian Parliament for Waterloo South as a member of the Liberal Party; he was reelected in 1872 and 1874. In 1879, he was elected to represent Brant North in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. He was appointed treasurer and commissioner of agriculture in 1883, but resigned these posts later that year due to ill health. He opposed reciprocity in trade with the United States and supported an elected Senate.

After he retired from politics in 1886, he wrote a number of books dealing with Canadian history and politics, including Public men and public life in Canada, being recollections of parliament and the press, published in 1902. He died in Galt in 1913.