A Day for Sir John A. Macdonald

Oddly, Canadians have not yet organized a day to celebrate the life and accomplishments of Sir John A. Macdonald. The citizens of Kingston, Ontario are leading the way

Sir John A. Macdonald was born in Scotland on January 10, 1815. (But January 11th is the observed date. Who knows why?) Coming to Canada, he was a lawyer and businessman before he went into the political arena. He made great strides to become one of Canada’s founding fathers and its first Prime Minister. He lived in Kingston, Ontario – my hometown – and briefly made use of the city as the first capitol. Sir John A. Macdonald died while in office on June 6, 1891 in Ottawa. His was a life that indeed deserves national recognition. But we have no official observance, no civic holiday, certainly no statutory holiday.

Kingston in the 1980s honoured Sir John A. Macdonald’s presence by proclaiming the third Monday in February as his day. The people of Kingston have long lobbied for the recognition of Sir John A. Services are held each year in June by the Historical Society at his gravesite in the Cataraqui Cemetery, with people wearing period costumes and playing music. Other yearly events in Kingston celebrate the great man and his accomplishments, including the summertime opening of his home and gardens at Bellevue House, and an actor who gives an excellent portrayal of Macdonald for many festive occasions.

City council of Kingston has now sent an official request to the Federal Government in Ottawa to declare January 11th as a national holiday for Sir John A. Another proposal is June 6th, the date of his death, since there would be many more celebrants available in summer than in the cold winter. I would vote for June, because January is too close to the New Year to give Sir John A. proper recognition.

Isn’t it time to give Canada’s first Prime Minister the honour he is due? I think it is.