His entry into political life interfered, for a time, with the realization of some of his favourite projects. He first came conspicuously before the public as a politician at the general election of 1847, when he proposed Mr. Lafontaine as member for Monteal. During the ensuing campaign he threw the whole weight of his influence into the scale on Mr. Lafontaine's behalf, and the latter was returned by a considerable majority. When Mr. Lafontaine and his colleague, Mr. Baldwin, retired from public life in 1851, Mr. Young was invited by Mr. Hincks to enter Parliament and accept a seat in the Cabinet. He accordingly offered himself to the electors of Montreal as Mr. Lafontaine's successor. His candidature was warmly opposed. His Free Trade opinions were objectionable to certain classes in the constituency, and his advocacy of the Caughnawaga Canal scheme, which some held to be inimical to Montreal interests, was another ground of opposition. His well known desire to promote what is now called the Intercolonial Railway also awakened hostility. The contest was close, but he was returned at the head of the poll. In the month of October following he was sworn in as Commissioner of Public Works in the Hincks-Morin Administration, and at the same time became a member of the Board of Railway Commissioners. He soon afterwards proceeded with Mr. Hincks and Mr. Taché to the Maritime Provinces, to promote the construction of the Intercolonial, although he differed with some of his colleagues as to the route to be adopted. He favoured the route over the St. John River to St. John, and thence to Halifax. About the same time, or very shortly afterwards, he recommended the establishment of a line of Atlantic steamers, subsidized by the Government. The construction of lighthouses, the shortening of the passage to and from Europe by the adoption of the route _viâ_ the Straits of Belleisle, and the development of the magnificent water powers of the Ottawa, were all matters that received his attention during his tenure of office. He differed from Mr. Hincks as to the plan on which the Grand Trunk Railway should be constructed, and opposed its construction by a private corporation. Mr. Hincks, however, had his own way about the matter, although, in deference to Mr. Young's views, the subsidy to the Company was reduced £1,000 per mile. After remaining in the Cabinet about eleven months Mr. Young withdrew, owing to a difference of opinion with his colleagues with respect to placing differential tolls on American vessels passing through the Welland Canal. He opposed the imposition of increased duties on foreign shipping as being in his opinion vicious in principle. The question of Free Trade was involved in the dispute, and Mr. Young was not disposed to give way an inch. The single report presented by him to the House during his Commissionership is full of valuable matter, and plainly shows the bias and texture of his mind.