Daniel J. MacDonald

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The Honourable
Daniel Joseph MacDonald
PC
Minister of Veterans Affairs
In office
November 27, 1972 – June 3, 1979
Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau
Preceded by Arthur Laing
Succeeded by Allan McKinnon
In office
March 3, 1980 – September 30, 1980
Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau
Preceded by Allan McKinnon
Succeeded by Gilles Lamontagne (Acting)
Member of the Canadian Parliament
for Cardigan
In office
October 30, 1972 – May 22, 1979
Preceded by Melvin McQuaid
Succeeded by Wilbur MacDonald
In office
February 8, 1980 – September 30, 1980
Preceded by Wilbur MacDonald
Succeeded by W. Bennett Campbell
Personal details
Born Daniel Joseph MacDonald
(1918-07-23)July 23, 1918
Bothwell, Prince Edward Island
Died Script error: The function "death_date_and_age" does not exist.
Political party Liberal
Spouse(s) Pauline Peters
Children 7

Daniel Joseph MacDonald, PC (July 23, 1818 – September 30, 1980) was a Canadian politician from Prince Edward Island. He served as Minister of Veterans Affairs from 1972-1979 and again in 1980 until his death.

Life

He was born on his family's farm in Bothwell, Prince Edward Island and was educated in a one-room schoolhouse.

At the age of 20, he bought his own farm at Bothwell Beach. In 1940, he enlisted in The Prince Edward Island Highlanders to fight in World War II. He was transferred to the Cape Breton Highlanders in 1943 and fought with the rank of sergeant in Italy where he was wounded during the assault on the Gothic Line. He returned to his unit after a few weeks and was seriously wounded on December 21, 1944 during the Battle of Senio River. As a result, his left arm and leg were amputated. Undiscouraged by his injuries, he returned to his farm, married a local woman named Pauline Peters, built a house and raised seven children: Blair, Heather, Gail, Daniel, Leo, Walter, and Gloria.

Political career

In 1962 he was elected to the Prince Edward Island House of Assembly and sat in the body for ten years. He served as Minister of Agriculture and Forestry from 1966 to 1972 when he resigned to run in the 1972 federal election. Elected as the Liberal Member of Parliament for Cardigan, he was appointed to the Cabinet of Pierre Trudeau as Minister of Veterans Affairs. He was defeated in the 1979 federal election but returned in the 1980 election after which he was reappointed to the Veterans Affairs portfolio. MacDonald reformed veterans' pensions to make them more generous and introduced disability pensions and pensions for Prisoners of War.

He died in office on September 30, 1980 and was given a state funeral. The eulogy was given by Prime Minister Trudeau at St. Dunstan's Cathedral in Charlottetown.

The Daniel J. MacDonald Building in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, was named in his honour. It houses Veterans Affairs Canada and the Veterans Review and Appeal Board.

Electoral history

Canadian federal election, 1980
Party Candidate Votes % ∆%
Liberal Daniel J. MacDonald 8,590 48.18 +1.51
Progressive Conservative Wilbur MacDonald 8,006 44.90 -3.21
New Democratic Aubrey Cantelo 1,054 5.91 +0.69
Independent Arthur D. Reddin 180 1.01
Total valid votes 17,830 100.00
Canadian federal election, 1979
Party Candidate Votes % ∆%
Progressive Conservative Wilbur MacDonald 8,219 48.11 +5.98
Liberal Daniel J. MacDonald 7,972 46.67 -7.32
New Democratic George MacFarlane 892 5.22 +1.94
Total valid votes 17,083 100.00
Canadian federal election, 1974
Party Candidate Votes % ∆%
Liberal Daniel J. MacDonald 6,958 53.99 +9.45
Progressive Conservative Leo James Walsh 5,429 42.13 +0.95
New Democratic Martin Gerard Kenny 423 3.28 -10.99
Independent A. Neil Harpham 77 0.60
Total valid votes 12,887 100.00
Canadian federal election, 1972
Party Candidate Votes % ∆%
Liberal Daniel J. MacDonald 5,528 44.54 -4.21
Progressive Conservative Alfred Kenneth Fraser 5,111 41.18 -8.35
New Democratic Aquinas Ryan 1,771 14.27 +12.51
Total valid votes 12,410 100.00

References

20th Ministry – First cabinet of Pierre Trudeau
Cabinet Post (1)
Predecessor Office Successor
Arthur Laing Minister of Veterans Affairs
1972–1979
Allan McKinnon
22nd Ministry – Second cabinet of Pierre Trudeau
Cabinet Post (1)
Predecessor Office Successor
Allan McKinnon Minister of Veterans Affairs
1980
Gilles Lamontagne
Other offices
Preceded by Councillor for 1st Kings
1962–1972
Succeeded by
Melvin McQuaid, Progressive Conservative