Alexander Tilloch Galt was born in London,
England, September 6, 1817 and came to Canada in 1835 when his
father, the novelist John Galt, became commissioner of the Canada
Land Company with responsibility for the land settlement of the
Huron Tract between Lake Erie and Lake Huron. Alexander himself
became a clerk with a similar land company in the Eastern Townships
of Quebec, where he was soon promoted to be commissioner of the
company.
Shortly after, he entered parliament as independent
member for Sherbrooke. Politician and businessman, he used his
contacts to further the commercial interests of Canada and of his
land company by arranging for the building of the
Montreal-Sherbrooke-Portland railway, giving Montreal a winter
port.
In 1858 Galt became minister of finance in the
Cartier-Macdonald administration of the united Canadas on condition
that the long-talked-of confederation of the British North American
Provinces (including the North-West) should be a firm plank in the
government's platform. Confederation was made a practical issue with
the backing of Cartier and Macdonald.
At Quebec, it was Galt who worked out the plan to have
the federal government take over all provincial debts on a basis of
equality, making confederation financially workable.
When the government was formed in 1867, Galt became
minister of finance - a field in which he was universally trusted.
Following disagreements, he left the cabinet. In 1872 he dropped out
of politics and devoted his time to such matters as the Atlantic
fisheries and his private enterprises in Western Canada.
In 1880 Macdonald made him the first High Commissioner
for Canada. Gait was characteristically enthusiastic but
undiplomatic and returned to Canada three years later.
Fathers of
Confederation
