James Eldridge

James Eldridge’s career in the Manitoba public service spans 37 years—serving under six premiers and creating the first department of intergovernmental affairs in 1982. Throughout his career he worked to ensure that Manitoba’s voice would be heard at the federal level. His expertise and ability in economics and policy formation, with a stellar talent for intergovernmental affairs, is visionary.

Eldridge has served as a liaison for Manitoba with other western provinces and the federal government on economic and intergovernmental files, attending most First Ministers’ and Premiers’ meetings since the early 1970s and Western Premiers’ meetings since 1990.

Throughout his career, which included serving as Deputy Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and as Clerk of the Executive Council, Eldridge has demonstrated commitment to the highest levels of integrity and professionalism.  Eldridge retired in 2004 but continues to serve as an advisor on intergovernmental relations and as an advisor to the Manitoba Business Council.

Eldridge also serves on several boards including the Queen’s University Institute of Intergovernmental Relations and the Order of Manitoba Advisory Council. He also is on the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Partners in the Park, The Canada West Foundation boards. He has been recently honoured with a number of awards including the Lieutenant-Governor’s Medal for Excellence in Public Administration in Manitoba, an award for leadership promoting collaboration and cooperation between the Western Governors Association and the Western Premiers Conference by the Governor of Colorado as well as by the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce and Canadian Manufactures and Exporters for advancing business-government relations in Manitoba in 2004 and 2005.