[1] He was first elected to the Ontario legislature by defeating his brother, Alexander, who was the Liberal candidate.

[2] He was born in Saint-Eustache in Lower Canada in 1835,[1] the son of Antoine Robillard and Émilie Loriau,[2] and studied in Ottawa.

[3] At the age of 17, he left for the gold fields of Australia, returning to Canada in 1858, by way of England.

[3] In 1862, he travelled to British Columbia, again in search of gold, and was employed in building the first wagon road in the province.

[2] He was involved in the operation of quarries, providing material for construction in Gloucester Township.