John Thomas Hackett

John Thomas Hackett, QC (June 12, 1884 – September 15, 1956) was a lawyer and political figure in Quebec. He represented Stanstead in the House of Commons of Canada from 1930 to 1935 and from 1945 to 1949 as a Conservative and then as a Progressive Conservative member. He sat for the Victoria division in the Senate of Canada from 1955 to 1956.

The Honourable John Thomas Hackett QC
Senator for Victoria, Quebec
In office July 28, 1955 – September 15, 1956
Appointed by	Louis St. Laurent
Preceded by	William James Hushion
Succeeded by	Josie Alice Quart
Member of the Canadian Parliament for Stanstead
In office 1930–1935
Preceded by	Willis Keith Baldwin
Succeeded by	Robert Davison
In office 1945–1949
Preceded by	Joseph-Armand Choquette
Succeeded by	Louis-Édouard Roberge
19th President of the Canadian Bar Association
In office 1947–1948
Preceded by	James Chalmers McRuer
Succeeded by	Stanley Harwood McCuaig, M.C., Q.C., B.A., LL.D.
Personal details
Born	(1884-06-12)June 12, 1884 Stanstead, Quebec
Died	September 15, 1956(1956-09-15) (aged 72)
Political party	Conservative Progressive Conservative
Spouse	Linda Harding
Relations	Michael Felix Hackett (father)
Alma mater	St. Charles Seminary; McGill Law School
Profession	Lawyer

He was born in Stanstead, Quebec, the son of Michael Felix Hackett and Florence Alberta Knight, and was educated at St. Charles Seminary and the law school at McGill University. In 1912, he married Linda Harding. Hackett served as a member of the board of governors for McGill University. He was Batonnier of the Bar Association of Montreal and also President of the Canadian Bar Association, from 1947 to 1948.[1] He was also president of the Stanstead County Historical Society and a lieutenant in the militia.

In 1948, while serving as the President of the Canadian Bar Association and MP for Stanstead, Hackett spoke in the House of Commons against a proposal that the position of chief commissioner of the Board of Transport Commissioners be designated as open only to a judge of the Exchequer Court of Canada. Hackett was concerned that the proposal would blur the lines between the quasi-political and policy role of the Board, compared to the traditional neutrality of judges, and could undermine popular respect for the judiciary as neutral arbiters.[2]

Hackett died in office at the age of 72.