John Young (Canadian politician)

That school boasts a number of distinguished graduates including the poet Robbie Burns, the inventor James Watt and the shipowner and Liberal MP, William Schaw Lindsay.

Young believed that the future of Montreal as the pre-eminent commercial centre in North America could be attained by improved access by rail and water.

With that objective he laboured and fought for: In order to attain maximum benefit for Montreal as a commercial centre and as a port, he believed that this improved transportation network must be coupled with the concept of free-trade with the United States.

Young was successful in business and by about 1850 was able to build a rather magnificent home called Rosemount of the southern slope of the Westmount Mountain.

It is believed that this chair was reserved for the ample frame of the Curé Labelle when he came to discuss the building of the railway to serve Saint-Jérôme and the Laurentians.

John Young took an active interest in politics where his belief in free trade dictated that he belong to the Parti rouge of Louis-Hippolyte LaFontaine.

He oversaw construction of the Victoria Bridge in Montreal, and was host for the formal inauguration ceremonies attended by the Prince of Wales, H.R.H.

True to John Young's combative nature, he was no sooner back in Montreal than he was fighting with the prominent and powerful Allan family who owned the ill-fated Anglo-Saxon.

At the time of his life when he was anxious to get some relief – possibly a pension from the Government or Harbour Commission – it appears that his many public disputes with prominent politicians and business leaders caught up with him.

Instead, Young was given some token appointments, one of them being to represent the Montreal business interests at an International Trade Conference in Australia in 1877.

The flourishing Port of Montreal, and its success for the past 150 years are a fine testament to John Young's work and vision.