Sir John A on Trial

The legacy of Sir John A MacDonald is a difficult concept to consider as Kingstonians. As a lawyer, he began his law practice here in Kingston. As a politician, he represented Kingston throughout his entire career. As a Canadian, his tale was very similar to other Canadians in coming from a European nation to settle elsewhere. And, as an individual, he was flawed like we all are.   

I believe it is impossibly illogical to view history through today’s lens. We are a very different country now. The world itself has changed.

“Kingston: Where history and innovation thrive.”

I ask, how can history thrive if it is potentially going to be erased? Is that what being innovative means for Kingston? I urge the city to blend history and innovation and remake Kingston’s historical landmarks reflecting MacDonald’s life here. While he carried huge influence, he also as the Minister of Indian Affairs permitted policies to take place, such as the Residential School System, to occur which still to this day effect thousands of Indigenous Canadians.  Taking down statues is not the answer. All humans are flawed, especially when viewed unfairly through history’s lens.

My proposal, in particular to the statue in City Park is to not take it down, but to incorporate the other side of history—that of Canada’s Indigenous peoples and how their lives were changed when MacDonald entered the political sphere. Let people learn from it. Make it a teachable moment and identify reconciliation in this new addition to City Park.

Teachable Moments

Let the racist policies of MacDonald be well known. But, also let it be known that MacDonald was a man of his time. He, like many of his colleagues, was a racist. He eagerly accepted bribes. He lost a wife to consumption. He lost his young son before his second birthday. He rubbed shoulders with others who influenced the beginning of this Dominion. We should explain MacDonald’s life not for others to feel sorry for him, but to demonstrate the full story of his life, just as Kingston should demonstrate the story of Canada’s indigenous peoples, especially as influenced by MacDonald. They suffered, and some still do suffer against systemic racism, inadequate housing, and many other unfair circumstances.

In March 2018 a simulated but formally administered court case was brought forward in the form of a live spectacle through CBC’s “Ideas.” It sought to answer the question: Was Sir John A Macdonald guilty of crimes against humanity? For over five years I have worked in tourism, representing the city’s history. Because of this, when I heard Sir John A was going to be “on trial” I thought it my responsibility to see the outcome of this trial.

The trail, which was presided by the Honourable Judge Ian Binnie, brought up excellent points for both sides of the argument from prosecution lawyer Jean Tillet and defense lawyer Frank Addario.

The trial sought to answer two specific accusations against MacDonald:

Macdonald knowingly maintained a reign of terror against Métis subjects in the province of Manitoba from 1870 to 1872 that resulted in multiple assaults, rapes, and deaths.

Macdonald knowingly withheld food from our First Nation subjects in the northwest that resulted in thousands of deaths by starvation.

After both lawyers brought their arguments forward, ultimately it was decided by the judge that these crimes against humanity were not proven definitively in this trial.

One thing that I thought was comical and also relatable was when the defense lawyer for MacDonald stated: “Well, he’s not charged with being a racist. If he were charged with being a racist I would probably plead him guilty and move to sentence.” Of course he was a racist, but so were many Prime Ministers and other politicians after him. This was, unfortunately, the norm for many, many people throughout the 19th, 20th, and yes, even into the 21st Century. I am grateful however that we have been able to, in general, steer away from the majority of the population being blatantly racist.

The legacy of Sir John A was not simply residential schools, or simply confederation. He was a complex man and as a result, he leaves us with a complex legacy. My proposal, is that all of this complexity is demonstrated here in Kingston, the home of “Kingston’s favourite adopted son.” Keep the statues and momentous of Sir John A, but let’s also show the other side of history with statues and plaques of their own alongside the face of the first Prime Minister.

In order to assist the city further with this input, I have included the links below in which you can read and listen to the “trial” of Sir John A MacDonald that I have referenced. It’s very informative and I believe it would be extremely helpful in this exploratory period.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sir John A on Trial, Part 1: https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/1208339523879

Sir John A on Trial, Part 2: https://www.cbc.ca/listen/shows/ideas/episode/15537254

A summary of the trial: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/ideas/the-trial-of-sir-john-a-macdonald-would-he-be-guilty-of-war-crimes-today-1.4614303