Jim Morton was elected to the Legislative Assembly in 2009. Prior to becoming an MLA, Jim was the Manager of Addiction Services for Annapolis Valley Health.

Jim has more than 30 years of successful leadership experience in health services settings, not-for-profit organizations and business in Saskatchewan, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. 

Jim was born in Kings County and raised on a family farm in Somerset. He was educated locally, and graduated from Central Kings Rural High School, Acadia University and Dalhousie University.


A Note About Jim

Strong Ties to Kings North

Jim’s commitment to Kings North is based on strong personal ties and deep family roots. Born at the BFM in Kentville, Jim grew up on a family farm in Somerset and attended local schools. Jim studied at Acadia University, then Dalhousie University, graduating with a Masters Degree in Social Work. He began his career as Director of Social Work at Kings County Hospital in Waterville.

His career then took him to Saskatchewan and New Brunswick, before returning to Kings County to work for Annapolis Valley Health where he was the Manager for Addiction Services. Since 1999, Jim and his wife Donna McGrath have been residents of Kentville.

Strong Sense of Community

Jim Has always been active in his community, doing his part to make a difference. He served as President of the Central Kings Rural High School student council and was a member of Dalhousie University’s student government. He went on to volunteer as a director on various community and business boards, including SIGN in Yorkton Saskatchewan, OMISTA Credit Union in Moncton, the New Brunswick Mental Health Commission and the Kings Regional Development Authority.

Jim has also been a leader in his profession, serving as the President of the New Brunswick Association of Social Workers and an executive member of Family Service Canada. Jim has been recognized more than once for his contributions to the social work profession, receiving the Raoul Leger Memorial Award, the Canadian Association of Social Work Distinguished Service Award and the Family Service Canada Award for Service.

A History of Leadership

Jim has been a leader in a variety of settings which have brought him into contact with people from all walks of life.

As a manager in several hospital and health service environments, Jim has seen for himself the challenges faced by health care providers. He was also CEO of a not-for-profit family service agency for a decade, leading it through a recession to become a financially viable and well-established service provider. As a clinical therapist for twenty-five years he has helped hundreds of individuals and families cope with personal, social and financial problems. Jim knows first-hand the challenges faced by small business, having operated a successful human service consulting practice for six years.

In all of these roles, Jim has met the challenges head-on, encouraging others to work with him to find constructive, concrete solutions guided by clear ideals and goals. Jim applies the same positive approach to his work as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Kings North.

Jim was elected as the MLA for Kings North on June 9, 2009. Among his overall responsibilities he is the Chairperson of the Nova Scotia Legislature’s Standing Committee on Community Services.

Jim Morton at a Glance

1951 – Born at Blanchard Fraser Memorial Hospital, Kentville, NS
1957 – Attended 3-room Somerset School
1963-1964 – Completed Grade 6 at the ‘new’ Somerset District Elementary School
1970 – Graduated from Central Kings Rural High School
1973 – Graduated Acadia University (Bachelor of Arts: Major - Philosophy)
1975 – Graduated Dalhousie University (Master of Social Work)
1975 – 1977 – Director, Social Work Department, Kings County Hospital, Waterville, NS
1977 – 1981 – Social Worker, Yorkton Psychiatric Centre, Yorkton, Saskatchewan
1981 – 1990 – CEO, Family Service Moncton, Moncton, New Brunswick
1990 – 1993 – Director, Social Work Department, The Moncton Hospital, Moncton, New Brunswick
1991 – 1999 – Owner, Consultant – James E. Morton Associates, Moncton, New Brunswick
1999 – 2001 – Problem Gambling Specialist, Annapolis Valley Health, Kentville, Nova Scotia
2001 – 2009 – Manager, Addiction Services, Annapolis Valley Health, Kentville, Nova Scotia
June 9, 2009 - Elected Member of the Legislative Assembly for Kings North
June 2009 – Appointed Chairperson, Standing Committee on Community Services

Other Highlights

• Cub Scouts, Berwick NS
• Somerset Youth Group - 1964-1970
• Army Cadets – West Nova Scotia Regiment, Central Kings Rural High - 1964–1970
• President, CKRH Student Council 1969–1970
• Social Work Representative, Dalhousie University Graduate Council – 1974-1975
• Board Member, Canadian Mental Health Association, Kings County Branch, 1975-1977
• Council Representative, Nova Scotia Association of Social Workers, 1976-1977
• Board and Executive Member, Society for the Involvement of Good Neighbours, Yorkton Saskatchewan, 1978-1981
• President, Yorkton Chapter, Saskatchewan Association of Social Workers – 1978-1980
• Council Representative, Saskatchewan Association of Social Workers, 1978-1980
• Member of the Board and Executive, Family Service Canada – 1983-1989
• Member, Moncton Chamber of Commerce, 1986- 1999
• Active Member of Provincial Council, New Brunswick Association of Social Workers, 1982-1999
• President New Brunswick Association of Social Workers - 1991-1993
• Cub Scout Leader – Moncton, NB - 1989–1991
• Active Executive Member, Kings North NDP Riding Association, 2000-present
• Member, United Church of St. Paul and St Stephen, Kentville, NS 2002-present
• Board Member, Kings Regional Development Authority, Kentville, NS, 2003-2009
• Participant – Post Graduate Program Friedman 1994-1995
• Participant – Post graduate Program, Bowen Center for the Study of the Family, Washington, DC. 1997-1998
• Member – Nova Scotia Association of Social Workers – 1999-present
• Clinical Member-American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy – 1984-present