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Sir John A. Macdonald is so back — historian J.D.M Stewart explains why

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30.03.2026

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Sir John A. Macdonald is so back — historian J.D.M Stewart explains why

Watch: Statues of Canada's first prime minister are returning

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The pendulum may be swinging from statue toppling and erasure to an embrace of Canada’s first prime minister and his tremendous legacy. Amid a renewed focus on Canadian nationalism and finding pride in our history, it’s provided an opportunity for a reassessment of Sir John A. Macdonald.

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Last summer, a statue of Macdonald was restored on the grounds of the Ontario Legislature and a recent poll showed overwhelming support for restoring the Macdonald statue in Kingston, Ontario. Historian and author J.D.M. Stewart joins Rob Breakenridge for a conversation about the rehabilitation of Macdonald’s image, why he’s so crucial to understanding Canada’s history, and what the historical record actually tells us about his legacy and impact. Watch the full interview below.

Sir John A. Macdonald is so back — historian J.D.M Stewart explains why Back to video

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