James Beaty (2 October 1798 – 5 March 1892) was a Member of Canada's Parliament from 1867 to 1874, and published the Toronto Leader newspaper.

Beaty was born in Killeshandra, County Cavan, Ireland, emigrating to Canada in 1818.

A member of the Disciples of Christ Christian denomination, he was active in establishing new congregations.

Beatty positioned himself as a champion of unions, when the typographers of Toronto went on strike in 1872.

This put him in direct opposition to George Brown and the Globe newspaper.