James has a deep, long lasting relationship and involvement with politics and civic responsibility.  His original university degree is from the University of Alberta in Political Science (B.A.).  Subsequently, he completed a degree in Secondary Education (B.Ed) and has taught Social Studies for Edmonton Public Schools for the past 15 years.  Through his professional life, he has sought to convey to his students and Edmonton’s future citizens the fundamental principles of a viable, working democracy with which he has been practically involved his entire life.  That practical involvement includes experience at the municipal level when James worked as an executive assistant at City Hall for 3 years.  In addition, James also has extensive experience at the provincial and federal levels of government serving on local constituency and riding associations over the past two decades.