James Hartley was a provincial politician from Alberta, Canada. He served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta from 1935 to 1967 sitting with the Social Credit caucus in government. During his time in office Hartley served as a cabinet minister in the government of Premier Ernest Manning from 1955 to 1962.

The 1935 Alberta general election was held on August 22, 1935, to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta. The newly founded Social Credit Party of Alberta won a sweeping victory, unseating the 14-year government of the United Farmers of Alberta. It was one of only five times that Alberta has changed governments.