Lorimer was an unsuccessful candidate in the riding of Vancouver Quadra in the 1957 federal election. He served on the municipal council of Burnaby from 1966 to 1968.
He was first elected to the provincial assembly in a 1969 by-election held following the death of Fred Vulliamy.[2] He was re-elected in 1969 and 1972, defeated in 1975, re-elected in 1979 and defeated again in 1983.[4] Under Premier Dave Barrett he served as Minister of Municipal Affairs and Minister of Commercial Transport. He was a director for BC Hydro and chairman for the BC Harbours Board.[3]
Jim Lorimer Park in Burnaby was named in his honour.[3] He died in 2012.[2]
123Webster, Daisy (1970). Growth of the N.D.P. in B.C., 1900-1970: 81 political biographies.
123"James Gibson Lorimer". From the Heart: The Freeman Legacy. City of Burnaby. Archived from the original on April 28, 2016. Retrieved January 5, 2012.