James Morris (November 1, 1798 – September 23, 1865) was a businessman, banker and political figure in Canada West.

[2] He also formed working relationships with William Hamilton Merritt and Isaac Buchanan, two successful businessmen who would also serve in the Legislative Assembly.

[1] At that time, communications were mainly by boats plying the Saint Lawrence River from Quebec City and Montreal to York on Lake Ontario.

Morris became involved in projects to build canals and locks north of the Saint Lawrence, allowing shipping to bypass the dangerous stretches.

He was elected in a by-election to represent Leeds County in the Legislative Assembly of Upper Canada from 1837 to 1840.

In the first session of the first Parliament, he joined most of the moderate Reformers in voting in support of the union of the Canadas, but also voted with the more radical Reformers under Robert Baldwin in opposing the government of the Governor General, Lord Sydenham.

He was appointed a Lieutenant in the 2nd Battalion of Carleton Militia in the Johnstown District on August 20, 1821.

Morris was forced to retire from political life in 1863, when he suffered a debilitating stroke.