Sir John Alexander Macdonald (1815-1891)
This Kingston lawyer was the chief architect of Confederation, which led to the creation of the Dominion of Canada on July 1st, 1867. He was Canada's first Prime Minister and led the country for almost 19 years. The record of Macdonald's governance stands as exceptional despite the Pacific Scandal and North-West Rebellion. Through the National Policy and its tariff designed to develop the early Canadian economy, his government completed the transcontinental railway and opened the West for settlement. He also created a national police force, the North-West Mounted Police. Known for consensus building and practical leadership, Sir John A. laid the foundation of a strong and united Canadian nation stretching from sea to sea to sea.
Plaque via Alan L. Brown's site Ontario Plaques. Full page here.