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Civic Duty

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Alderman John McAteer, 1907

In 1907, John McAteer even made a further brief foray into local politics and served as council member for St. James Ward. This was not uncommon amongst the fraternity of the local liquor trade. At one point in Guelph, nearly half the local council had very direct connections to the drink trade. Many local hotel keepers and brewers served as councillors, mayors and local commissioners. How much political influence did this bring to bear on their business interests?