John Macdonald (December 27, 1824 – February 4, 1890) was a Canadian merchant, churchman, philanthropist, and politician in the late 19th century in Toronto.

In 1860, he built a mansion called 'Oaklands', which is now De La Salle College,[1] a private co-educational school in the Deer Park area of mid-Toronto.

Macdonald was born in Perth, Scotland and came to Upper Canada in 1837 when his father's regiment was transferred there.

After a few years working for others, Macdonald opened his own retail dry goods business in Toronto in September 1849.

After Confederation, which he opposed, he served as an Independent Liberal Member of the House of Commons of Canada for the riding of Toronto Centre from 1875 to 1878.