Alexandre-Maurice Delisle

Alexandre-Maurice Delisle
Born	Template:Birth date Montreal, Lower Canada
Died	February 13, 1880(1880-02-13) (aged 69) Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Occupation(s)	Entrepreneur, politician, lawyer
Years active	1833–1874
Known for	Member of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada; supporter of union of Lower and Upper Canada; president of Montreal City and District Savings Bank; president of Champlain and St. Lawrence Railroad

Alexandre-Maurice Delisle (April 20, 1810 – February 13, 1880) was a prominent Montreal entrepreneur and political personality. Although trained in law, he occupied multiple public offices within the administrations of Lower Canada and later the Province of Canada. In 1841, he secured election to the inaugural Parliament of the Province of Canada, distinguishing himself as one of only two French-Canadian legislators endorsing the union of Lower and Upper Canada. He stepped down in 1843 to accept the position of clerk of the Crown, where he continued to champion the Parti Bleu while simultaneously pursuing diverse business interests.

Delisle's professional path encountered a significant obstacle when his own brother accused him of fraudulent activities during his tenure as clerk of the Crown. The resulting investigation evolved into a politically charged dispute: aligned with the Bleu faction, Delisle lost his provincial appointments in 1863 following a change to a Liberal administration. He was reinstated in 1866 when the Conservative-Bleu coalition regained control but faced dismissal once more in 1874 under Liberal Prime Minister Alexander Mackenzie's government.

At the time of his passing in 1880, there were reports that Sir John A. Macdonald’s Conservative government had contemplated appointing Delisle to the Senate.

Early life

Delisle was born in Montreal, Lower Canada, on April 20, 1810. He was the son of Jean Delisle, who worked as a clerk at Trinity House, responsible for overseeing navigation on the St. Lawrence River. His education included studies at the Petit Séminaire de Montréal from 1817 to 1822. After articling in law, he was called to the bar in 1832. The following year, he married Marie-Angélique Cuvillier, daughter of Austin Cuvillier—a notable Montreal merchant and member of the Legislative Assembly.

Early career

Delisle initiated his professional journey within Montreal’s provincial civil service when he was appointed clerk of the peace and clerk of the Crown in 1833. In 1838, he acted as commissioner tasked with administering oaths to members of the Special Council of Lower Canada, which governed after the Lower Canada Rebellion. Subsequently, he was reappointed as clerk of the peace.

Legislative Assembly

After the rebellions in Lower and Upper Canada during 1837–38, the British government united both provinces into the Province of Canada through the Union Act, 1840. This legislation dissolved their separate legislatures and created a single Parliament featuring an elected Legislative Assembly and an appointed Legislative Council, while retaining substantial authority for the Governor General.

At Governor General Lord Sydenham’s urging, Delisle contested the 1841 general election representing Montreal County, challenging seasoned politician James Leslie. Despite facing violent opposition that resulted in two fatalities among his supporters, Delisle campaigned in favor of the union and ultimately secured victory.

Within the Assembly, Delisle was one of only two French-Canadian representatives advocating for union and consistently sided with the Governor. He was associated with an informal group from Canada East known as the "British Tory" faction. In 1843, he resigned his legislative seat to return to his previous role as clerk of the Crown in Montreal.

Later career

Despite his departure from the Assembly, Delisle continued to engage actively in political affairs. While serving as clerk of the Crown in Montreal, he acted as the returning officer during a heated by-election in 1844, backing the candidate favored by Governor General Metcalfe, who ultimately was defeated. Delisle emerged as an early and influential supporter of the Parti bleu, the conservative faction gaining momentum in Canada East. He provided considerable financial backing for electoral campaigns and maintained a close advisory relationship with George-Étienne Cartier, the Bleus' leader and one of the Father of Confederation.

Delisle achieved notable success in land speculation, particularly in the regions surrounding Rimouski and Pointe-au-Père. His involvement in banking was significant, serving as director and subsequently president of the Montreal City and District Savings Bank, as well as director of the City Bank of Montreal. He was a key advocate for the Montreal and Bytown Railway, personally investing £1000 and holding its presidency. Additionally, Delisle held positions as director and later president of the Champlain and St. Lawrence Railroad until its integration into the Grand Trunk Railway. He also directed the Gulf of St. Lawrence Steamship Company, which facilitated commercial travel to destinations such as the West Indies and South America.

In 1859, Delisle became a member of the Montreal Harbour Commission; by 1862, he had been appointed sheriff of Montreal. Two years later, in 1864, he purchased land that eventually developed into Sainte-Cunégonde, which later became part of Montreal’s Little Burgundy district.

Fraud charges

In 1863, Delisle was accused by his brother Michel-Charles of fraudulent conduct during his service as clerk of the Crown. The allegations claimed that he and two associates had inflated charges for subpoenas and redirected the surplus funds into speculative investments. A commission of inquiry was established by the Liberal-Rouge provincial government; however, due to Delisle’s affiliation with the Bleus, proceedings became deeply partisan. He mounted a defense supported by numerous Bleu witnesses, contending that lawyer Joseph Doutre, a Liberal and supporter of the Parti rouge, masterminded the accusations against him.

The commission ultimately confirmed the fraud charges, resulting in Delisle’s removal from his roles on the harbour commission and as sheriff. When Conservative/Bleu forces regained control in 1866, he was reinstated to the harbour commission and appointed customs collector at Montreal. He maintained these positions until 1874 when a Liberal administration returned to power and dismissed him once more.

Last years

Delisle passed away in Montreal in 1880, reportedly on the verge of receiving a Senate appointment from Sir John A. Macdonald’s Conservative government following their 1878 electoral victory. Over his lifetime, he amassed considerable wealth through diverse business enterprises and entrepreneurial pursuits. His final resting place is at Notre Dame des Neiges Cemetery, situated near that of his political ally Cartier.

See also

1st Parliament of the Province of Canada