1815-1891: Sir. John A. Macdonald Our First Prime Minister

Canada's first Prime Minister arrived with his family from Scotland in the small town of Kingston when he was 5. Educated as a lawyer, he was elected to what at the time was known as the "Province of Canada" (Ontario and Quebec). Macdonald was a steady advocate for creating one, united country. With his personal vision and constitutional expertise, Macdonald drafted the British North America Act, which defined how the provinces would be united.

On July 1st, 1867, Sir John A. Macdonald and his wife led the ceremonies which officially oversaw the birth of the Dominion of Canada. He then was elected Canada's first Prime Minister and at the age of 52, opened the first Canadian Parliament in front of Queen's Park.

Did you know? The Kingston address that housed Macdonald's law office from 1849 to 1860 is now home to Sir John's Public House, a "traditional Scottish pub".