Sir John A. Macdonald was the first Prime Minister of Canada, serving from 1867 to 1873 and again from 1878 to 1891. He played a crucial role in the confederation of Canada, helping to unite the provinces into a single nation. His leadership was instrumental in the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway, which connected the east and west coasts of the country. Macdonald was born on January 11, 1815, in Scotland and immigrated to Canada as a child. He was a lawyer and a politician, known for his strong vision of a united Canada. Despite his significant contributions, his legacy is complex, as he also implemented policies that negatively affected Indigenous peoples.