Remarks by
The Honourable John Harvard, P.C., O.M.
Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba
Sir John A. MacDonald
Anniversary Dinner
Provencher Room, Hotel Fort Garry
Saturday, January 15, 2005 - 7:00 p.m.
Right Honourable John Turner, the Honourable Pearl McGonigal, Minister Bjornson, Joy Smith, M.P., Dr. Goldsborough, distinguished guests, and friends of the Manitoba Historical Society and lovers of this province, this nation and our history. A warm hello to all – it’s chilly outdoors – you might say the weather is being historically correct – but it's warm inside and a joy to be with friends.
A nation without knowledge of its history is like a ship without a compass: adrift on a great ocean of time and events, buffeted by dangerous currents that can lead to the most hazardous shores.
That is why the work of organizations like the Manitoba Historical Society is so valuable. Through your publications and special events, through your awards for centennial farms, businesses and organizations, and of course through the establishment of Dalnavert Museum, you help Canadians to connect with the rich history of Manitoba.
The impact of the Manitoba Historical Society will only grow with the completion of a 5,000 square foot visitor centre at Dalnavert, which will allow you to reach even more Manitobans through school programs, expanded collection space and other improvements.
The society’s supporters – many of whom are here tonight – have made this possible over the years through their personal dedication to the importance of preserving our national and provincial memory.
It's important to remember that – beautiful as Dalnavert is – we don't just preserve our history because of an aesthetic attachment to old buildings and artifacts.
When we keep our history alive, we replenish our commitment to the values for which Manitoba and Canada stand – values of democracy, community, and freedom uniting the diverse communities that Sir John A. Macdonald brought together at Confederation and throughout his career.
Sir John A. Macdonald was a man of great vision and energy who devoted virtually his entire adult life to his country. For 47 years he worked tirelessly to bring the Anglophone and Francophones together in the new country, to reach Canadians in the Atlantic colonies and to ensure that the vast western regions of British North America would join in a confederation that would respect local needs as well as national values. He worked to create a united, prosperous, just nation from sea to sea to sea.
Macdonald had the common touch and a great sense of humour. Often it was self-deprecating arising from his love of the bottle. Darcy McGee, a colleague, also liked to tipple and after one particular bender for which he, McGee, was publicly excoriated, Macdonald called him over and said: "McGee, there's no room for two drunkards in the cabinet. You'll have to stop."
Macdonald's wit manifested itself in other ways. On an early spring day in Ottawa, mud was everywhere. Leading up to the centre block was a narrow boardwalk. Step off it and you were in the mud. As luck would have it Macdonald met on the boardwalk a man much disliked and a defector from the Conservative Party. His name was Cartwright. When they met Cartwright said: "I don’t step aside for a scoundrel." Macdonald paused, took one step to the side and said: "I do."
Our guest speaker tonight is another great Canadian with a personal history of serving his country that goes back more than four decades. That puts him into Macdonald's league.
At the beginning of my political career I had the great honour of working with the Right Honourable John Turner. I was a Member of Parliament and he was my leader. I respected him for his devotion to public service. He always carried out his public duties with integrity and a deep concern for the unity of the country.
I was not at all surprised that John was the leader of the Canadian election observers in the recent Ukrainian election. Canada could not have found a more qualified leader for that task, nor one more committed to the principles of free and fair elections. Like Sir John A., John Turner's involvement in the rough-and-tumble of political debate always served the cause of democracy and ensuring justice.
John Turner's commitment to public service reaches beyond party affiliations, and so it is not at all surprising that he is a big fan of Sir John A. Macdonald. A few years ago John wrote an article in the Globe and Mail in which he argued that Canada should set aside a national holiday to commemorate our first prime minister. He suggested either Sir John A.'s birthday, January 11 – which may not be the best time for a picnic in the park – or June 6, the day of his death. I don’t know about you, John, but I'm not so sure we want to set the precedent for celebrating the death of a politician.
Imagine what the jokesters in television could do with that.
Of course, with or without a holiday, what's important is that we continue to teach new generations of Canadians about Sir John A., the creation of Canada, and the values embodied in the nation which he helped found. And that's precisely what the Manitoba Historical Society does so well.
Thank you and happy birthday, John A. Macdonald.
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