He lent money, also leased and sold land in the region and raised grain and livestock on his own farm.
Canac also served in the local militia, reaching the rank of colonel.
In 1834, he was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Lower Canada for the town of Kamouraska, originally supporting the parti patriote but later taking a more conservative position.
In 1848, he was elected to the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada for Kamouraska as a Reformer.
Canac voted in support of the Rebellion Losses Bill.