Canada celebrates the birth anniversary of the Sir John Alexander Macdonald

Ontario: The Government of Canada is committed to commemorating a number of nation-building milestones that will culminate in the 150^thanniversary of Confederation in 2017. Each of these anniversaries represents an opportunity to celebrate the events that have shaped our history and made Canada the country we know and enjoy today.

To this end, on January 11, 2015, Prime Minister Stephen Harper visited the City of Kingston, Ontario, to celebrate the 200^thanniversary of the birth of the Right Honourable Sir John Alexander Macdonald and to pay tribute to the important role he played as one of Canada’s founding fathers and as Canada’s first Prime Minister.

During the ceremony, which was held in the Memorial Hall of Kingston City Hall, the city unveiled a restored portrait of Sir John A. Macdonald. The 1863 full-length portrait of Macdonald is the best known work of William Sawyer, a portrait painter and photographer (1820 to 1889), and also a close friend of Macdonald. The portrait was presented to John A. Macdonald in 1863, before his knighthood in 1867, by admiring friends who commissioned it. The painting shows the self-assured young Macdonald standing in a classic pose typical of formal full-length portraits fashionable at the time.

Canada Post and the Royal Canadian Mint were also part of the ceremony and took this opportunity to unveil a stamp and a coin that commemorate the achievements of Sir John A. Macdonald.

Born two hundred years ago on January 11, 1815 in Glasgow, Scotland, Sir John A. Macdonald played a key role in shaping Canada’s history. He was instrumental, along with Sir George-Étienne Cartier, in the negotiations that led to Confederation and later in expanding Canada to the Pacific Ocean. They are two of the 36 Fathers of Confederation who met to share their vision on union and, ultimately, to forge a new country. Almost 150 years ago, they created a democracy that today serves as a model for the world.

During his years as Prime Minister (1867 to 1873 and 1878 to 1891), Canada experienced rapid growth and prosperity. Manitoba, British Columbia and Prince Edward Island all entered Confederation between 1870 and 1873, while the last spike of the Canadian Pacific Railway’s transcontinental line was driven into the ground in 1885.

Sir John A. Macdonald is also remembered for his role in the completion of the Canadian Pacific Railway, the establishment  of the North-West Mounted Police and the first Canadian national park in Banff, Alberta.

The 200^th anniversary of Sir John A. Macdonald’s birth is one of the milestones on the Road to 2017 that have defined our country and made us who we are today.

Quotes

“I was pleased to be in Kingston, Ontario, today to celebrate the bicentennial of the birth of Sir John A. Macdonald and to pay tribute to the vital role he played as one of Canada’s founding fathers and as Canada’s first Prime Minister. As we approach the 150^th anniversary of the magnificent country he helped create, our Government is proud to celebrate many of the actions that Sir John A. Macdonald took to make our country great. I encourage Canadians to learn more about this remarkable Canadian and to reflect on all that he contributed to make Canada a country that today serves as a model for the world.” – Prime Minister Stephen Harper

“Sir John A. Macdonald is one of Canada’s most important political and historical figures. His accomplishments are cemented in our country’s history. Our Government is committed to protecting and preserving his legacy of patriotism and his dedication to Canada.” – Prime Minister Stephen Harper