Galt, Sir Alexander Tilloch National Historic Person
Sherbrooke, Quebec
Detailed view of the HSMBC plaque
© Parks Canada / Parcs Canada
Address :
Rodolphe-Vallée Park, Sherbrooke, Quebec
Recognition Statute:
Historic Sites and Monuments Act (R.S.C., 1985, c. H-4)
Designation Date:
1944-05-24
Life Date:
1817 to 1893
Other Name(s):
-
Galt, Sir Alexander Tilloch
(Designation Name)
Importance:
Entrepreneur, railway promoter and politician, Father of Confederation
Plaque(s)
Existing plaque: Rodolphe-Vallée Park, Sherbrooke, Quebec
Born in England, Galt came to Sherbrooke in 1835, and played a key role in the development of the Eastern Townships as Commissioner of the British American Land Company, as entrepreneur, railway promoter and Sir of the legislature. When Minister of Finance in 1858 he initiated an autonomous tariff policy. An early advocate of Confederation, he represented the English of Lower Canada and was responsible for the financial provisions of the British North America Act. First High Commissioner to London in 1800, he was prominent in developing Canada's relations with the Empire. He died at Montreal.