Sir John A. MacDonald

A gentleman with blazing eyes, curly black locks and a whiskey veined nose, marched Canada into a new era of self government on a brisk November day in 1867 when the first Canadian Parliament assembled in Ottawa. Sir John A. MacDonald was truly the “Father of Confederation” as he has often been referred. During his tenure as Prime Minister, Quebec, Ontario, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and the Arctic Islands joined Confederation. A transcontinental railway was constructed across Canada providing ocean to ocean linkage. The first Canadian Parliament matured and the country quashed its first rebellion led by a French Metis in Manitoba named Louis Riel.
Although a man who experienced much success, MacDonald was no stranger to tragedy. He suffered many political defeats among his successes. His first wife died at an early age. His law partner passed away and left all his debts to be assumed by MacDonald. No opponent or circumstance was able to overcome John A.’s alligator-like resilience or determined resolve to succeed. A favoured MacDonald expression betrayed an inner philosophy which guided MacDonald through the troubled waters of early Canadian politics. He once wrote a friend:

“When fortune empties her chamber pot on your head, smile and say, ‘We are going to have a summer shower’.”

John A. MacDonald served this country as its Prime Minister for 19 years and died in office on the 6th of June, 1891.

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