For 25 years (mostly while he was prime minister), he was president of a Québec City firm, the St Lawrence Warehouse, Dock and Wharfage Co, and in 1887 became the first president of the Manufacturers Life Insurance Co of Toronto.
Durant 25 ans (principalement pendant la période où il est premier ministre), il est le président d'une firme de Québec, la St. Lawrence Warehouse, Dock and Wharfage Company, et, en 1887, il devient le premier président de la Manufacturers Life Insurance Company, de Toronto.