The Murray Canal’s history is one of fierce lobbying, immense pressure and a lucky election victory

Just outside of Brighton, along County Road 64, is the beautiful Murray Canal. Today, it is a recreational waterway that takes boaters from Presqu'ile Bay to the Bay of Quinte. Most people use it to get to the Trent-Severn Waterway or to Kingston by boat. However, in the 19th century, businesspeople, residents, and politicians saw it as a vital route for commerce, national security, and safety. While the Welland and Rideau canals were built in the mid-1800s, the Murray Canal was consistently delayed. Lobbying efforts by local businesspeople and politicians and a fateful re-election campaign won by Sir John A. Macdonald finally moved the project forward. A new book by local historian Dan Buchanan tells this amazing story. If you are curious about local history, have a listen.