Fonds consists of files mainly relating to the different cabinet portfolios which Ian MacKenzie held and to British Columbia politics as well as the Canadian Railway Troops Overseas. Included are such series titles as: Canadian Railway Troops Overseas, 1916-1919; Diary, 1917; Parliamentary files, 1934-1949; Memorabilia;; and Miscellaneous. Also included is correspondence and cables between MacKenzie and Mackenzie King, J.L. Isley, and Arthur Beauchesne. The fonds also contains photographs of Ian MacKenzie, [ca. 1935-1940].
MacKenzie, Ian Alistair, 1890-1949 : Ian Alistair Mackenzie, born in 1890 at Assynt, Scotland, received his education from Edinburgh University, M.A., LL.B. He immigrated to Canada in 1914 and served overseas with the 72nd Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force. He was a Staff Officer for the Canadian Railway Troops and was mentioned in despatches. He was a Member of the British Columbia Legislative Assembly, 1920-1930, and served as Provincial Secretary, 1928. He resigned from the B.C. Legislature upon his election to the federal House of Commons and remained in the House until 1948. During this period he served as Minister of Immigration, 1930, Minister of National Defence, 1935-1939, Minister of Pensions and National Health, 1939-1944, and Minister of Veteran Affairs, 1944-1948. He was appointed to the Imperial Privy Council, 1948, and appointed to the Senate, 1948. See also: The Canadian Directory of Parliament, 1867-1967, 1968.
