Today would have been not only the 202nd birthday of Sir John A.McDonald. Also, This year marks the 150th anniversary of Confederation that McDonald was indispensable in bringing about. As historian Arthur Milnes argued in a column that ran in many Postmedia papers today, there would be no Confederation without McDonald…nor
his importance ever be underestimated.
“If we do not take advantage of the time,” he thundered in the lead-up to Confederation in 1867, “if we should ourselves be unequal to the occasion, it may never return. And we shall hereafter bitterly and unavailingly regret having failed to embrace the happy opportunity of founding a great nation.”
And found a great nation — now at the dawn of her 150th year — Macdonald of Kingston did. What began as an experiment in federalism that brought — forced might be a better word — peoples of often-warring European languages, religions, and cultures together is now the envy of the world.
Millions of people have found safety and opportunity in Sir John A.’s Canada and we stand today as a member of the G8, a charter member of the United Nations and a land of tolerance, understanding and inclusion respected and admired everywhere.
Many conservatives and a Canadians should raise a glass for his many accomplishments and contributions to the countries mosaic.