Sir John A.: The Life and Contested Legacy of Canada’s First Prime Minister

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The reputation of Canada’s first prime minister has declined dramatically over the past decade.  He has been accused of being a racist and of masterminding a genocide against the indigenous people.  In this presentation, Dutil will review Sir John A. Macdonald’s claims to fame and address the condemnations that have been levelled against him.

BIOGRAPHY

Patrice A. Dutil, Ph.D is Professor, Department of Politics and Public Administration, Ryerson University.  Among his eight books, Dutil has published works that examine the career of Sir John A. Macdonald, notably John A. Macdonald at 200: New Reflections and Legacies (co-edited with Roger Hall in 2014) and Prime Ministerial Power in Canada: Its Origins under Macdonald, Laurier and Borden (2017).  He is currently writing a book exclusively focused on Canada’s first prime minister.  Dutil founded the Literary Review of Canada in 1991.  He was President of the Champlain Society from 2011 to 2017 and is co-host of the Champlain Society podcast, Witness to Yesterday. His voluntary efforts have been recognized by the Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal and the Ontario Volunteer Service Award.  His website is www.patricedutil.com.