Career
He represented Victoria South in the Canadian House of Commons from 1896 to 1900 as a Liberal. McHugh sat for Victoria in the Senate of Canada from 1901 to 1926. He was born in Ops Township, Canada West, the son of Patrick McHugh and Ann Walker.
McHugh was defeated by Adam Edward Vrooman when he ran for reelection in 1900.
He died in office at the age of 81.