Redpath Sugar Ltd. - The Redpath Canadian Bake Book

Jonathan Bamberger

President, Redpath Sugar

The Story of Sugar

T he distinctive style of the Redpath name on our packaging is not only instantly recognizable but also a sign of quality. Its the oldest Canadian food-related trademark and the company has a fascinating story.

Canadas first sugar company, the Canada Sugar Refinery, started production in 1854 on the banks of the Lachine Canal in Montreal. It was founded by a 57-year-old entrepreneur and businessman named John Redpath, who had already enjoyed a successful career as a stonemason, building contractor and mercantile trader. John had been involved in the building of the Lachine Canal and saw the opportunity for ships that were carrying raw sugar from the tropics to be unloaded at the companys own wharf.

He may have grown up to be successful, but John was certainly not born with a silver spoonsugar or otherwisein his mouth. The son of a farm worker, he came into the world in the Scottish border village of Earlston in 1796. He was orphaned at an early age and brought up by an older sisters family.

When he was 13, John became an apprentice stonemason. Seven years later, he found himself newly qualifiedand unemployed.

In 1816, he chose to spend what little money he had saved to emigrate to the British colony of Lower Canada. Arriving in Quebec City and finding no work, he walkedmostly barefoot to save his only pair of shoesto seek his fortune in Montreal, over 150 miles away.

When John arrived in Montreal, it was a town of around 16,000 peoplea small city by the standards of the timeand a good place to find success.

John started working as a general labourer, but within two years he had the funds to start his own construction business. By the age of 40, he was one of Canadas most successful building contractors, and Montreal had become Canadas largest city and its economic engine.

As well as the Lachine Canal in Montreal, John Redpaths building company was involved in the construction of the Notre-Dame Basilica, the Montreal General Hospital, the headquarters of the Bank of Montreal, parts of McGill University and many more buildings we now consider landmarks. He was also one of the main contractors of the Rideau Canal in Upper Canada (now known as Ontario).