Jim Maddin
Encyclopedia
Jim Maddin is a Canadian
politician and currently serves as mayor of the town of Asquith
in west central Saskatchewan
. He served as Mayor
of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
from 2000 to 2003, and sought election to the Canadian House of Commons
in 2006.
Maddin was born in Kerrobert
, Saskatchewan, and graduated from high school in 1966. He was a member of the Saskatoon Police Force from 1972 to 1997, reaching the rank of superintendent in charge of the human resources division. In 1988, he received a Business Administration certificate from the University of Saskatchewan
. He accepted early retirement in 1997, following budget cutbacks that he argued were political in nature.
Maddin received certification as a private investigator in March 2006.
, to freeze to death at the edge of the city. A liberal on social issues, he supported a $2000 payment to the United Way
to promote non-discrimination against gay and lesbian people in 1998.
. His candidacy was endorsed by the Coalition of Progressive Electorates, and was fifty-two years old at the time.
Maddin's tenure as mayor was marked by several controversies involving police issues. He supported a review of the city's police services while campaigning for office in 2000, and was openly critical of police chief Dave Scott's management of the force.
Shortly after the election, the outgoing police services commission from the previous council voted to renew Scott's contract for a three-year period. Some in the local media described this decision as undemocratic, and as a defiance of Maddin's popular mandate. Following a brief period of cohabitation, the city exercised a clause in Scott's contract to remove him from office in June 2001. Maddin supported Scott's departure, arguing that it was necessary to ensure "a new direction for policing in Saskatoon". Russell Sabo was hired to replace Scott later in the year. Scott's dismissal was controversial in the city, and provoked antagonisms between Maddin and the city's police association. At one stage, the police association voted 93% non-confidence in Scott's replacement.
Maddin instituted policies of "community policing" during his time in office, wherein police officers set up 'neighborhood shops' to encourage public cooperation in targeting crime. The measure was enacted, in part, to improve ties between the police and Saskatchewan's aboriginal community. After leaving office in 2003, Maddin argued that the McNab Park area of Saskatoon saw a 38% crime reduction as a result of the policy. He also expressed concern that the new city administration would dismantle the initiative.
Maddin also supported efforts by the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA) to open a casino
in Saskatoon, arguing that it would generate $1.5 million annually in property taxes while providing a financial benefit to the city's aboriginal community. Many city residents opposed this initiative, however, and there was credible speculation that it would be defeated by a plebiscite. In August 2003, the Saskatoon Tribal Council decided that it could not be assured of popular support in Saskatoon, and shifted its bid to the Whitecap Dakota-Sioux First Nation south of the city. Throughout the controversy, Maddin suggested that some opposition to the casino was grounded in racial prejudice.
A poll taken in early October 2003 showed Maddin with a lead over all challengers in his bid for re-election, and he was given official support from the Association of Civic Employees later in the same month. Ongoing controversies over the police and casino issues eroded his popularity, however, and he was sometimes depicted as lacking strong leadership on crime issues. He unexpectedly finished fourth against longtime rival Don Atchison
, as well as behind Peter Zakreski and Jim Pankiw
.
or New Democratic Party
. He joined the NDP in early 2004 and sought the party's nomination for Saskatoon—Wanuskewin
in the 2004 federal election
, but lost to rival candidate Priscilla Settee.
He campaigned for the Saskatoon—Wanuskewin nomination again for the 2006 election
, and this time was selected by the party. He finished third against Conservative
incumbent Maurice Vellacott
in the general election.
, and finished third against Atchison.
In 2009, Maddin was elected mayor of the town of Asquith, Saskatchewan
.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
politician and currently serves as mayor of the town of Asquith
Asquith, Saskatchewan
-External links:*...
in west central Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan is a prairie province in Canada, which has an area of . Saskatchewan is bordered on the west by Alberta, on the north by the Northwest Territories, on the east by Manitoba, and on the south by the U.S. states of Montana and North Dakota....
. He served as Mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan is a prairie province in Canada, which has an area of . Saskatchewan is bordered on the west by Alberta, on the north by the Northwest Territories, on the east by Manitoba, and on the south by the U.S. states of Montana and North Dakota....
from 2000 to 2003, and sought election to the Canadian House of Commons
Canadian House of Commons
The House of Commons of Canada is a component of the Parliament of Canada, along with the Sovereign and the Senate. The House of Commons is a democratically elected body, consisting of 308 members known as Members of Parliament...
in 2006.
Maddin was born in Kerrobert
Kerrobert, Saskatchewan
Kerrobert is a town in west central Saskatchewan. Incorporated in 1910, its 2007 population was 1,011. This quaint small town is home of the Kerrobert Tigers. The town is known for its large water tower, clearly visible from 15 kilometres away....
, Saskatchewan, and graduated from high school in 1966. He was a member of the Saskatoon Police Force from 1972 to 1997, reaching the rank of superintendent in charge of the human resources division. In 1988, he received a Business Administration certificate from the University of Saskatchewan
University of Saskatchewan
The University of Saskatchewan is a Canadian public research university, founded in 1907, and located on the east side of the South Saskatchewan River in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. An "Act to establish and incorporate a University for the Province of Saskatchewan" was passed by the...
. He accepted early retirement in 1997, following budget cutbacks that he argued were political in nature.
Maddin received certification as a private investigator in March 2006.
Councillor
Maddin entered political life later in 1997, narrowly defeating former councillor Glen Penner to win election for Saskatoon City Council's first ward. He focused his campaign on restoring public confidence in the police service, and was appointed to the city's Police Services Board after the election. Maddin promoted closer ties between the police and the city's aboriginal community in 2000, following allegations that two Saskatoon police officers may have abandoned an aboriginal man, Neil StonechildNeil Stonechild
Neil Stonechild was a Cree Canadian First Nations teenager who died of hypothermia. There were accusations that the Saskatoon Police Service may have taken him to the northwest section of the city and abandoned him in a field on a night when temperatures were below −28°C...
, to freeze to death at the edge of the city. A liberal on social issues, he supported a $2000 payment to the United Way
United Way of Canada
United Way of Canada is the national organization for the 117 autonomous, volunteer-based United Ways across Canada. United Way campaigns raise money for local groups that address community issues and problems, and the national organization provides leadership, services and coordination to the...
to promote non-discrimination against gay and lesbian people in 1998.
Mayor
Maddin campaigned for Mayor of Saskatoon in 2000, and was elected in an upset over four-term incumbent Henry DaydayHenry Dayday
Henry Dayday was the mayor of Saskatoon from 1988 to 2000. He was the 1999 Liberal candidate in Saskatoon-Rosetown-Biggar and sought the Conservative Party nomination for the 2004 general election in Saskatoon-Humboldt....
. His candidacy was endorsed by the Coalition of Progressive Electorates, and was fifty-two years old at the time.
Maddin's tenure as mayor was marked by several controversies involving police issues. He supported a review of the city's police services while campaigning for office in 2000, and was openly critical of police chief Dave Scott's management of the force.
Shortly after the election, the outgoing police services commission from the previous council voted to renew Scott's contract for a three-year period. Some in the local media described this decision as undemocratic, and as a defiance of Maddin's popular mandate. Following a brief period of cohabitation, the city exercised a clause in Scott's contract to remove him from office in June 2001. Maddin supported Scott's departure, arguing that it was necessary to ensure "a new direction for policing in Saskatoon". Russell Sabo was hired to replace Scott later in the year. Scott's dismissal was controversial in the city, and provoked antagonisms between Maddin and the city's police association. At one stage, the police association voted 93% non-confidence in Scott's replacement.
Maddin instituted policies of "community policing" during his time in office, wherein police officers set up 'neighborhood shops' to encourage public cooperation in targeting crime. The measure was enacted, in part, to improve ties between the police and Saskatchewan's aboriginal community. After leaving office in 2003, Maddin argued that the McNab Park area of Saskatoon saw a 38% crime reduction as a result of the policy. He also expressed concern that the new city administration would dismantle the initiative.
Maddin also supported efforts by the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA) to open a casino
Casino
In modern English, a casino is a facility which houses and accommodates certain types of gambling activities. Casinos are most commonly built near or combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shopping, cruise ships or other tourist attractions...
in Saskatoon, arguing that it would generate $1.5 million annually in property taxes while providing a financial benefit to the city's aboriginal community. Many city residents opposed this initiative, however, and there was credible speculation that it would be defeated by a plebiscite. In August 2003, the Saskatoon Tribal Council decided that it could not be assured of popular support in Saskatoon, and shifted its bid to the Whitecap Dakota-Sioux First Nation south of the city. Throughout the controversy, Maddin suggested that some opposition to the casino was grounded in racial prejudice.
A poll taken in early October 2003 showed Maddin with a lead over all challengers in his bid for re-election, and he was given official support from the Association of Civic Employees later in the same month. Ongoing controversies over the police and casino issues eroded his popularity, however, and he was sometimes depicted as lacking strong leadership on crime issues. He unexpectedly finished fourth against longtime rival Don Atchison
Don Atchison
Donald J. Atchison is a Canadian politician who was elected mayor of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan on October 22, 2003. He won a close four-way contest, running on a platform that included being tough on crime, freezing property taxes, and resuming control of the city's police commission...
, as well as behind Peter Zakreski and Jim Pankiw
Jim Pankiw
Jim Pankiw is a Canadian politician and former Member of Parliament.Pankiw served two terms in the Canadian House of Commons, representing Saskatoon—Humboldt in Saskatchewan from 1997 until 2004 as a member of the Reform Party of Canada, the Canadian Alliance, the Democratic Representative Caucus...
.
Federal politics
After leaving the mayor's office, Maddin speculated about turning to federal politics as a candidate of the LiberalsLiberal Party of Canada
The Liberal Party of Canada , colloquially known as the Grits, is the oldest federally registered party in Canada. In the conventional political spectrum, the party sits between the centre and the centre-left. Historically the Liberal Party has positioned itself to the left of the Conservative...
or New Democratic Party
New Democratic Party
The New Democratic Party , commonly referred to as the NDP, is a federal social-democratic political party in Canada. The interim leader of the NDP is Nycole Turmel who was appointed to the position due to the illness of Jack Layton, who died on August 22, 2011. The provincial wings of the NDP in...
. He joined the NDP in early 2004 and sought the party's nomination for Saskatoon—Wanuskewin
Saskatoon—Wanuskewin
Saskatoon—Wanuskewin is a federal electoral district in Saskatchewan, Canada, that has been represented in the Canadian House of Commons since 1997...
in the 2004 federal election
Canadian federal election, 2004
The Canadian federal election, 2004 , was held on June 28, 2004 to elect members of the Canadian House of Commons of the 38th Parliament of Canada. The Liberal government of Prime Minister Paul Martin lost its majority, but was able to form a minority government after the elections...
, but lost to rival candidate Priscilla Settee.
He campaigned for the Saskatoon—Wanuskewin nomination again for the 2006 election
Canadian federal election, 2006
The 2006 Canadian federal election was held on January 23, 2006, to elect members of the Canadian House of Commons of the 39th Parliament of Canada. The Conservative Party of Canada won the greatest number of seats: 40.3% of seats, or 124 out of 308, up from 99 seats in 2004, and 36.3% of votes:...
, and this time was selected by the party. He finished third against Conservative
Conservative Party of Canada
The Conservative Party of Canada , is a political party in Canada which was formed by the merger of the Canadian Alliance and the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada in 2003. It is positioned on the right of the Canadian political spectrum...
incumbent Maurice Vellacott
Maurice Vellacott
Maurice Vellacott is a Canadian politician. He has served in the Canadian House of Commons since 1997, and is currently the Conservative Member of Parliament for the riding of Saskatoon—Wanuskewin in the province of Saskatchewan....
in the general election.
Return to local politics
Maddin ran again for mayor of Saskatoon in the 2006 electionsSaskatchewan municipal elections, 2006
-Corman Park No. 344:-Estevan:-Humboldt:-Lloydminster:-Melfort:-Moose Jaw:-North Battleford:-Prince Albert:-Mayoral race:-City council:Elected councillors-Mayoral race:-City council:...
, and finished third against Atchison.
In 2009, Maddin was elected mayor of the town of Asquith, Saskatchewan
Asquith, Saskatchewan
-External links:*...
.