rail line in Toronto connecting downtown with undeveloped neighbourhoods as far north as Eglinton Avenue between the Don River and the Humber River. Eventually two rail loops were built with 44 stations in total. The passenger railway opened in 1892 but ran for only two years, four months before going bankrupt. (The city built bridges, eventually.) He used his experience to become the Liberal's railway critic when he returned to Parliament (and the Opposition benches) through an 1884 by-election. In the 1880s, Edgar became a vocal opponent of the Protestant Protective Association, an anti-Catholic political party associated with the Ontario Conservative Party. He argued in favour of tolerance and cooperation between English and French Canadians as well as between Protestants and Catholics. He also argued against the concept of Imperial Federation, for greater Canadian independence from Britain, and in favour of reciprocity with the United States. When the Liberals formed a government under Wilfrid Laurier following the 1896 federal election, Edgar was nominated to become Speaker of the House of Commons of Canada, and was given a knighthood by Queen Victoria. Edgar was in poor health, however, and died in 1899 prior to the end of this term. References External links Russell, C.H. 1996. Tightening the belt: a history of the Toronto Belt Line Railway. City of Toronto Archives J. D. Edgar family fonds, Archives of Ontario 1841 births 1899 deaths Bishop's College School alumni Speakers of the House of Commons of Canada Canadian Knights Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George Canadian King's Counsel Lawyers in Ontario Members of the King's Privy Council for Canada Toronto city councillors Canadian people of Scottish descent 19th-century Canadian lawyers