Sir John A. Takes a Hit

The Ontario Elementary Teachers' Federation have decided that the name of our first Prime Minister, Sir John A. MacDonald should be removed from all schools. He, along with most of the Fathers of Confederation agreed with the creation of residential schools for our native population.

This is getting ridiculous!  We cannot judge past history by today's standards.  We will all agree that residential schools were a terrible failure and caused suffering and death to many, but those who set up those schools thought they were doing the best for our indigenous population!  I don't believe they were being vindictive!  Removing their names from history won't change the past and I think it will give Canadians a better chance of forgetting these horrible indecencies!

I do concede that the statues of Cornwallis in Nova Scotia be removed from places of prominence and put in museum grounds.  Cornwallis actually put a bounty on heads of indigenous people living there, but that was hundreds of years ago.  That fact cannot be erased from history but his statue is causing quite a bit of consternation in Halifax.  I say decide on a new location for his statue along with a sign describing reason for its move.  We must not lose this history!

We need to examine each situation like this with cool heads!  If we don't, this whole process can get really silly!  When you read the writings of Winston Churchill, it's not hard to notice that he was a chauvinist and a bit of a bigot!  Is he next on the hit list?

How about William Van Horne and the rest of those who built Canada's national railway!  They promoted the importation and exploitation of workers from China!  Shall we zap them?

Why stop there?  You do know that the Roman Emperors Julius Caesar and Caesar Augustus both promoted slavery and gladiator games fought to the death!  Will we soon be changing the names of the months of July and August?  That's how silly it could get!

Great 149th Canada Day!

I hope you all had a great Canada Day!  The weather sort of cooperated to give most of us the chance to get out and celebrate Canada's 149th Birthday. 

I often wonder if Sir John A. MacDonald, Canada's first Prime Minister, would recognize the nation he helped create 149 years ago.  It was much smaller then with only four provinces, but it grew into one of the proudest nations in the world! 

Thanks again to the "Flag Folks" who put a tiny Canadian flag at each home throughout the village so it will be there in the morning to announce cheerfully Canada Day!  Otherwise, Canada Day was very quiet in the Village.  Other communities around us had parades, parties and fireworks, so this Canada Day did not slip by unnoticed! I hope you were able to take in some of the festivities.

I hope you had a great Canada Day 2016.  I did!  Now we get to plan out our big celebration for next year as Canada turns 150 years old.  I think Sir John A. would be proud of Canada today.  I know I am! Happy Canada Day!

Ray's Note: Did you know that Canada Day was known throughout most of Canada's history as "Dominion Day," to celebrate the creation of the Dominion of Canada?

Sir John A.'s 200th Birthday!

Today (January 11, 2015) is Sir John A. Macdonald's 200th birthday!  I suspect most Canadians don't even know who he is.  Sir John was Canada's first Prime Minister. 

He was born in Glasgow, Scotland in 1815.  His efforts joined four upstart young provinces (Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick) into a nation in 1867.

 From what I can read, Sir John felt Canada had to be formed, otherwise the Americans would take it all!  He was the first to suggest we have a national police force to patrol the vast western territories.  That force became the R.C.M.P.  He did everything he could (some legal, some not so much) to create a national railway running coast to coast.  That became the Canadian Pacific Railway.

It's no secret that Sir John drank.  Stories of him discussing politics with and lecturing a favorite lamp post in Ottawa were well known.  Rumor has it that after the Charlottetown Conference of 1864, in the group photo of the "Fathers of Confederation," he is one of the only ones seated -- because he had too much to drink to stand still for the lengthy exposure time!  His temper was also well known.  He would defend his vision of Canada to anyone in sometimes very heated debate!

He got things done!  When others told him it would be impossible, he made it happen.  The problems and difficulties he faced were enormous, yet he and a couple of his colleagues overcame them!  Things Prime Minister Macdonald had to deal with and overcome, make current Prime Minister Harper's problems seem like a walk in the park!  I believe that Canada would not exist had it not been for Sir John's persistence, and downright stubbornness.

 He was no angel, but I think he deserves a higher profile in Canadian culture than he has right now!

Happy Sir John A. Macdonald Day!

Happy birthday, Sir John A. Macdonald!

Happy Sir John A. Macdonald Day!  Sir John A. Macdonald, Canada's very first Prime Minister, was born 199 years ago today!  Our first Prime Minister was from the original Conservative Party, and was known to politicians of the time as an honest man but a man who would do almost anything to unite Canada as one nation!

He was also known as a heavy drinker and a straight talker.  Ask Sir John what his thoughts were on any topic and he would tell you straight out.

His first run at the PMO was between 1867 and 1873.  His greatest legacy is the creation of the trans-continental railway, the Canadian Pacific.  Without Sir John's pushing, cajoling, and backroom dealing, I think its's doubtful we would have a Canadian transcontinental railway at all, and I think B.C. would now be an American state!

And thank you all so much for your birthday wishes, yesterday.  I did enjoy my day and all of my friends and family who became a part of it! Thanks so much!

Happy Sir John A. Day!

Our first federal Prime Minister, Sir John A. Macdonald was born on this day in 1815! Sir John A. can take much of the credit for Canada the way it looks today!  He was one of the main movers and shakers in creating and building the Canadian Pacific Railway which played a huge role bringing Canada together from sea to sea!  The CPR played a huge role in colonizing what is now Alberta!

 Yes I know his tenure as Prime Minister was muddled with scandals and political wranglings (nothing has changed in Canadian politics) but he still must be remembered as a great man; one of the key fathers of Canadian confederation!  Happy Sir John A. Day!