James Washington Breakey (December 25, 1865
Biography
James Breakey was born in Millbrook, Canada West on December 25, 1865, the son of James Breakey and Susan McCormick. He was educated in Ontario and then moved to Manitoba, settling on a Dominion Lands Act homestead in Melita from 1882 to 1886. He then was partner in a mercantile business in Souris from 1886 to 1896. In 1892, Breakey married Jennie Hopkins. He served as secretary-treasurer for Souris and for the Rural Municipality of Glenwood. After working as a financial agent, The following year, he co-sponsored Fred Dixon's Workmen's Compensation Act, a version of which was subsequently enacted as law.
Breakey lost to Independent Farmer William Robson in 1920. He recaptured his seat in 1922 (despite the Liberals losing most of their rural seats to the United Farmers of Manitoba), and was re-elected in 1927. In this capacity, he actively promoted a Liberal-Progressive union: he declined to speak in opposition to the government's 1930 throne speech, and generally attempted to ensure friendly relations between the Liberal and Progressive caucuses.
Breakey stepped down as party leader in 1931, and was replaced by Murdoch Mackay. The Liberals and Progressives were merged into a single party shortly thereafter, and Breakey ran for re-election as a supporter of the government. He easily defeated his Conservative opponent, and was re-elected in 1936 and 1941.
He died in Souris on February 27, 1952.