Sir John A. 360

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

Consultation has concluded

Sir John A 360 banner


The Sir John A. 360 engagement opportunity is now closed. If you would like to learn more about the actions arising from the consultation or from the Your Stories, Our Histories project please https://www.cityofkingston.ca/city-hall/projects-construction/your-stories.


The legacy of Sir John. A Macdonald is the subject of national and local debate. The City of Kingston is facilitating a public conversation on his historic connections to Kingston, which included his role and actions as a political figure, and the legacy of those actions today, when they must be viewed through the lens of reconciliation.

Through a series of public events and this Get Involved page, the City invites residents to offer their perspectives on Sir John A. Macdonald and how his history and legacy can be positioned within a broader understanding of local history.

This engagement is related to the overarching goals of the Your Stories, Our Histories project, which aims to tell more inclusive/diverse histories of Kingston.

Public feedback received through Sir John A. 360 will be combined with input received through Your Stories, Our Histories, and considered by the City as it updates its cultural heritage strategy.


Sir John A 360 banner


The Sir John A. 360 engagement opportunity is now closed. If you would like to learn more about the actions arising from the consultation or from the Your Stories, Our Histories project please https://www.cityofkingston.ca/city-hall/projects-construction/your-stories.


The legacy of Sir John. A Macdonald is the subject of national and local debate. The City of Kingston is facilitating a public conversation on his historic connections to Kingston, which included his role and actions as a political figure, and the legacy of those actions today, when they must be viewed through the lens of reconciliation.

Through a series of public events and this Get Involved page, the City invites residents to offer their perspectives on Sir John A. Macdonald and how his history and legacy can be positioned within a broader understanding of local history.

This engagement is related to the overarching goals of the Your Stories, Our Histories project, which aims to tell more inclusive/diverse histories of Kingston.

Public feedback received through Sir John A. 360 will be combined with input received through Your Stories, Our Histories, and considered by the City as it updates its cultural heritage strategy.


Tell your story


Please share your thoughts, ideas and perspective on Sir John A. Macdonald’s historic connections to Kingston and what that means today. The ultimate goal of this conversation is to tell the whole story of Sir John A. Macdonald. The question for the community is; what and how do we add to his narrative?

Please remember that this is a safe space for you to share your thoughts, feelings and opinions. By sharing, you are helping to foster a community conversation. We ask that if you are inclined to use strong language that you do so in a responsible, respectful manner. Words are powerful, so please choose them wisely. 


Your response has been recorded.

Thank you again for your participation. A summary of the collected responses may be provided to Council and the public at a later date. If you have any questions, please contact Jennifer Campbell at 613-546-4291 ext. 1377 or by email at ourhistories@cityofkingston.ca. You may also provide any further written comments to:

The City of Kingston
c/o Jennifer Campbell
216 Ontario Street
Kingston Ontario K7L 2Z3

Return to the main Get Involved page.


Notice of Collection

Personal information, as defined by the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA), including (but not limited to), name, address, opinions and comments, is collected under the authority of the Municipal Act, 2001, and in accordance with MFIPPA, the Planning Act, and all other relevant legislation. Your personal information may be used in making a decision on this matter, and it may form part of meeting agendas and minutes, and therefore will be made available to members of the public at meetings, through requests, and through the website of the Corporation of the City of Kingston. Questions regarding the collection, use, and disclosure of this personal information may be directed to Jennifer Campbell at 613-530-2818 ext. 1377 or by email at ourhistories@cityofkingston.ca.

CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.
  • Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

    Why?

    by glenhyde, over 4 years ago

    I did not attend the recent discussions on this topic; however, I did contribute to the “Your Stories, Our History” initiative almost a year ago. The majority of those stories addressed the issue of Sir John A’s legacy, so I’m not sure why this issue is being re-opened now. Unfortunately, this strikes me as a make-work project for city bureaucrats and, as a taxpayer, I object to this. Judging from the current responses, the vast majority of Kingstonians don’t have any opinions on this issue, so kindly leave things as they are and devote the resources to something useful like... Continue reading

  • Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

    Thoughts on the Sept 17 Panel Discussion

    by Kingstonperson, over 4 years ago

    I attended the September 17, 2019 panel discussion. Here are some of my take-aways.

    First, this was not a real 360 degree examination of Sir john A's legacy. Most of his "roles and actions as a political figure" were barely mentioned. For example, his leading role in creating Confederation and his subsequent nation-building of a country that stretches from sea to sea to sea was largely ignored. There was nil discussion of "his historic connections to Kingston". For the most part Sir john A's relationship with indigenous peoples was the only aspect of his career that was discussed.

    Since the... Continue reading

  • Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

    Direct quotes from Sir John A. These speak for themselves.

    by etc, over 4 years ago

    These quotes from Sir John A. speak for themselves.

    “I have reason to believe that the agents as a whole … are doing all they can, by refusing food until the Indians are on the verge of starvation, to reduce the expense." - Sir John A. MacDonald

    “When the school is on the reserve, the child lives with his parents who are savages; he is surrounded by savages… He is simply a savage who can read and write." - Sir John A. MacDonald

    “The third clause provides that celebrating the “Potlatch” is a misdemeanour. This Indian festival is... Continue reading

  • Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

    Reconciliation Requires Us to Look Directly at Macdonald's actions in the Prairies

    by lifebettergreen, over 4 years ago

    Many will say that we shouldn't judge Sir John A. MacDonald by the 'standards of our time.' I agree. I think we should judge him by the standards of the brave anti-racist voices that opposed him in his own time - predominantly the indigenous people who most strongly felt the pain of John A. Macdonald's policies.

    There is a lot that will be, and should be, written about John A.'s steadfast belief in the cultural genocide under the Residential School system in Canada, the starvation policies on the prairies, the hanging of Louis Riel. But today I wanted to point... Continue reading