Sir George Etienne Cartier: His Work for Canada and His Services to Montreal

by John Boyd

One of Cartier's chief claims to honor is that it was he who secured the incorporation of the Grand Trunk Railway Company, which has done so much for the development of Canada in general, and the City of Montreal in particular. Cartier always took the greatest pride in that fact. In a speech delivered in the legislature he declared that he regarded the construction of the Grand Trunk as the greatest benefit that had ever been conferred on the country. "I had charge of the Act which created the Grand Trunk Railway," he added, "and I am prouder of that than of any other action of my life." The Grand Trunk at the outset of its history had many difficulties, financial and otherwise, to encounter, and it was due to Cartier's efforts in a large measure, that the company was able to tide over these difficulties and that its success was assured.

Reviewing his public career at a great banquet given in his honor by the citizens of Montreal, on October 30th, 1866, on the eve of his departure for London as one of the Confederation delegates, Cartier referring to the efforts he had made on behalf of the Grand Trunk said: "In 1852-53, encouraged by the Hincks-Morin Ministry, I asked for the incorporation of the Grand Trunk Railway Company, and I had it voted despite the most furious opposition. I also had the construction of the Victoria Bridge voted. You will recall the prejudices there were against that measure. It was a work which would produce floods in Montreal, it was a means to divert commerce towards Portland. But the prejudice, against these great measures were soon dissipated, it was only a passing tempest. It was so, too, for the Grand Trunk and the Victoria Bridge. The Grand Trunk and the Victoria Bridge have flooded Montreal with an abundance of prosperity. What would Montreal be without the Grand Trunk? It has assured for us the commerce of the West."

Addressing the electors of Montreal-East when seeking re-election in 1867, Cartier, referring to the construction of the Victoria Bridge, said: "You know that there existed considerable jealousy or rivalry between Quebec and Montreal, and that the two cities sought at the same time to secure the possession of a bridge across the river. I will not stop to discuss the advantages of such a bridge. Thanks to my efforts I am proud to be able to say Montreal finally secured it. Montreal has the Victoria Bridge. The results you know. Our city since then has had a considerable development which Confederation, I am certain, will increase."

When we consider the important factor that the Grand Trunk Railway Company has been in the development of Eastern Canada, and what its associate company, the Grand Trunk Pacific, will be in the opening up and development of rich new districts in the West, it will be realized that Cartier in the part he played in the creation and assistance of this great railway system, rendered another most important service to Canada.

St. Lawrence navigation and the advancement of the Port of Montreal found in Cartier a steadfast advocate, and the Allan Line which was the pioneer in ocean navigation via the St. Lawrence, secured from him the heartiest encouragement and support. Speaking in the Legislative Assembly in 1860, in favor of a proposal to increase the mail subsidy to the Allans, Cartier warmly supported means to increase navigation by the St. Lawrence. It was humiliating, he declared, to see nearly all our imports arriving by the steamships, the railways, and the canals of the United States. "Let us rise," he said, "to the height of the changes wrought by progress, for we are at the beginning of a new era which will eclipse anything we have yet seen." The improvement of the harbor and port of Montreal always found in Cartier a zealous advocate, as he fully realized how important it was for Montreal's progress and prosperity.

Cartier persistently advocated the enlargement of the canals, so as to divert the commerce of the West from American ports to this port, and thus benefit the City of Montreal. In a speech on the deepening of Lake St. Peter, delivered in the Parliament of United Canada on May 11th, 1860, he said: "Up to the present all our debt has been contracted for the execution of very important public works—the Welland Canal, the St. Lawrence Canal, the Rideau Canal, the Lachine Canal, etc. But we have not yet attained our object, which is to divert the commerce of the great lakes from the American routes to the St. Lawrence. This commerce continues to pass by New York and Pennsylvania, and all that we see is the traffic destined for Ogdensburg and Oswego. What means should be taken to remedy this condition of affairs? We have come to the conclusion to abolish all tolls on the canals, and to make the St. Lawrence route perfectly free from the ocean to the great lakes."

In reply to a remark by George Brown that the measure seemed to be designed to attract the commerce of the West to Montreal, to the detriment of Upper Canada, Cartier said: "I do not see why it should be apprehended that Montreal will secure so many advantages from this amelioration. This city is at the head of navigation, and is the principal centre of commerce; it is inspired by the spirit of progress, and I believe that in place of jealousy, all should be proud of its success. Whatever they can do, they can never prevent its being the most important city of the country, and from becoming a rival of the great American cities."

Reference has been made to the prominent part that Cartier took in advocating the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway; and in desiring to see the accomplishment of that great undertaking, he had an eye to the interests of Montreal. In a speech to the electors of Montreal-East on August 8th, 1872, he promised that Montreal would be the principal terminus of that great road. "I have," he said, to the citizens of Montreal on that occasion, "devoted all my efforts to further your interests and I have always desired that Montreal should have the lion's share."

The mercantile and business interests always found in Cartier a friend, in fact had he not been a public man, it is likely that his inclinations would have made him a great business man.

"Merchants," he said, speaking at a dinner tendered him by the merchants of Quebec, on December 23rd, 1869, "contribute greatly to the progress of the country. Without the English merchants, England could not have kept its possessions in the world. Like Rome she would have lost her Colonies soon after their conquest. But the English merchant was the means of forming bonds between the new possessions of the Empire. I respect the interests of those here present. Those interests have greatly contributed to render Canada prosperous. Those who devote themselves to commerce form in every country one of the most important classes of society."