Defending the Father of the Confederation
The United States of America with the British possessions of Canada, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Newfoundland divided with the French, also the Spanish territories of Louisiana and Florida according to the preliminary articles of peace signed at Versailles the 20th of January, 1783
Sir John A. Macdonald stands as a pivotal figure in Canadian history, whose contributions were instrumental in shaping the nation as it exists today. As the first Prime Minister of Canada, serving from 1867 to 1873 and again from 1878 to 1891, Macdonald orchestrated the Confederation of 1867, uniting the provinces of Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick into a single dominion1.
This foundational act prevented potential annexation by the United States and established the framework for a federal government. He expanded Canada's territory significantly, incorporating Manitoba, the Northwest Territories, British Columbia, and Prince Edward Island, thereby extending the nation's reach from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Macdonald championed the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway in the 1880s, a monumental infrastructure project that connected eastern and western Canada, facilitated trade, encouraged immigration, and spurred economic development. He also established the North-West Mounted Police (NWMP), the precursor to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), to maintain law and order in the western frontiers. Additionally, his implementation of the National Policy — a system of protective tariffs — protected nascent Canadian industries and promoted economic self-sufficiency. Over his 19 years in office, Macdonald secured victory in six federal elections, demonstrating sustained public support for his vision of a prosperous, unified Canada2.
Despite these accomplishments, Macdonald's legacy has faced intense scrutiny in recent years, particularly regarding his policies toward Indigenous peoples. Critics, including leftists, historians, and activists, have highlighted his role in implementing measures that caused significant harm. For instance, in 2020, protesters in Montreal removed and decapitated his statue4, while others in Kingston were vandalized, reflecting broader efforts to rename schools and remove plaques. These actions stem from accusations that Macdonald was a colonizer responsible for systemic oppression3.
Contemporary voices, often from progressive perspectives, emphasize these issues. For example, some describe him as the architect of “genocidal policies,” pointing to his involvement in the residential school system and the deliberate withholding of food rations to coerce Indigenous compliance with treaties. Others note his support for the Indian Act of 1876, which evolved from earlier legislation like the Gradual Civilization Act, aimed at assimilating Indigenous populations. His administration also criminalized cultural practices such as powwows and potlatches, policies that endured into the 20th century. Furthermore, during prairie famines, government actions under Macdonald included detaining Indigenous peoples and using starvation as leverage to clear lands for settlement.
Blindspot: Macdonald's policies did hurt Indigenous people. He backed residential schools to assimilate them, which was generally wrong. He imposed head taxes on Chinese immigrants and used harsh tactics during famines on the prairies. But context matters: he was dealing with rebellions, economic crashes, and the threat of U.S. invasion. Colonization built Canada, and men like him did the heavy lifting. Without it, this land would be something else entirely, maybe part of the U.S. or still undeveloped.
Context does not excuse wrong, but it explains the challenges Macdonald faced. Colonization, for all its flaws, was the historical process that built modern Canada. As conservatives and Catholics who cherish faith, family, and country, we defend Macdonald not out of blind loyalty, but rather as he embodied the practical wisdom needed to create a stable, prosperous nation.
A logical approach requires acknowledging both the achievements and the flaws. Macdonald operated in a 19th-century context where territorial expansion was seen as essential for national survival, amid global imperial dynamics. While his actions contributed to some injustices, they also laid the groundwork for a stable, democratic society that has evolved to address those wrongs. History is complex, and erasing figures like Macdonald risks oversimplifying the past.
The push to remove his statues and downplay his role often comes from a modern "woke" perspective that applies today's standards retroactively, prioritizing selective outrage over balanced, calm, and logical understanding. This cancel culture approach has led to the removal of nine Macdonald monuments across Canada, with only a few remaining under protection. Yet, many Canadians resist this erasure. Polls from recent years show that a majority, around 60% in some surveys, believe Macdonald's legacy should be celebrated rather than diminished, recognizing his role in building the country we inherit today.
As a conservative voice, we believe it's time to move forward by honouring what Macdonald truly achieved: forging a sovereign nation, securing its borders against external threats, and creating the economic and institutional foundations for prosperity. He wasn't flawless — no leader is — but his feats turned scattered provinces and regions into a unified, enduring Canada. We should restore his statues, teach the full history in schools, and celebrate the builders who made this possible. By doing so, we preserve our national story, learn from its complexities, and ensure future generations appreciate the courage and vision required to create something lasting. Canada’s strength lies in its past; let’s not let ideological trends diminish it.
1 https://www.britannica.com/biography/John-Alexander-Macdonald
2 https://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/macdonald_john_alexander_12E.html