Moore did not run in the 2015 federal election, and in November 2015, it was announced that he would be the 6th Chancellor of the University of Northern British Columbia, starting May 2016.
In 1997, he moved to Ottawa to work as the Communications Advisor for the Official Opposition, which at that time was the Reform Party of Canada.
In 1998, Moore returned to broadcasting in Vancouver before moving to Prince George to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science at the University of Northern British Columbia.
While in Prince George he continued in broadcasting by guest hosting at 550 CKPG and launching his own talk show entitled "’Behind the Headlines’ with James Moore."
At the age of 24 Moore defeated Liberal Party incumbent Lou Sekora by a 20 percentage point margin.
[5] In the 2004 federal election Moore was re-elected in the new riding of Port Moody—Westwood—Port Coquitlam, winning 41% of the popular the vote.
[8][9] In the 2006 federal election the Conservative Party won a minority government and Moore was re-elected in his riding over former Coquitlam mayor, Jon Kingsbury.
[10] On June 25, 2008, Prime Minister Stephen Harper appointed Moore as the Secretary of State for the 2010 Olympics, the Asia-Pacific Gateway and Official Languages.
[12] Moore was easily re-elected in the 2008 federal election and the Conservative Party won their second minority government.
[13] Moore's appointment came after Harper had sparked controversy during the recent election campaign when he made comments that "ordinary people" didn't care about arts funding.
[27] The President of CBC announced on November 21, 2008 that the corporation would be cutting spending and reviewing its major projects.
in 2014 Moore made a major effort to open Canada's internal markets to greater free trade.
[37] In November 2015, it was announced that Moore had been chosen to be the next chancellor of the University of Northern British Columbia, his alma mater, starting a three-year term in May 2016.
In September 2016, it was announced that Moore joined the national board of the Canadian Cancer Society as vice chair.