Sir John A. Macdonald
Sir John A. Macdonald was the first Prime Minister of Canada and a key figure in the country's Confederation in 1867. Despite his significant contributions to the formation of Canada, he has faced criticism for his policies towards Indigenous peoples, including the establishment of residential schools, prompting a reassessment of his legacy in contemporary society.
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Recent news mentions
Sir John A. Macdonald was forced to resign as prime minister in 1873 after being accused of accepting election funds in exchange for a contract to build a railway to the Pacific.
Doug Ford unfairly tilts the electoral table
Canada· 2025-11-07
The Prime Minister would do well to recall what happened the first time one of his predecessors went down a similar path: Sir John A. Macdonald’s grand project to unite the then-new nation of Canada 'by a ribbon of steel'.
Carney needs to address unfinished business with Indigenous nationsCanada· 2025-07-17
Sir John A. Macdonald is noted as an architect of Indian Residential Schools and has been a subject of controversy.
As northern Canada burns, southern Canada makes climate change worseCanada· 2025-06-13
Macdonald played a key role in creating Canada’s residential school system.
Sir John A. Macdonald statue uncovered at Queen’s Park despite opposition from First NationsCanada· 2025-06-12
Sir John A. Macdonald, the first prime minister of Canada, died in 1891 and is once again in the news.
Sir John-in-the-box, no more - The Globe and MailCanada· 2025-06-06
Sir John A. Macdonald was Canada’s first prime minister and a leading figure of Confederation.
Sir John A. Macdonald’s statue should stand, but not aloneCanada· 2025-06-05
Sir John A. Macdonald's statue was uncovered at Queen's Park, sparking controversy.
Letters to the editor, June 1: ‘As long as we remain a constitutional monarchy, let’s respect … our head of state’Canada· 2025-06-02
Sir John A. Macdonald was Canada’s first prime minister and is seen as one of the architects of Canada’s residential school system.
A proud country cannot keep its first prime minister in a boxCanada· 2025-05-29
The statue of Sir John A. Macdonald has been covered for years due to his controversial legacy regarding Indigenous residential schools.
Sir John A. Macdonald statue to be uncovered at Queen’s Park, sparking new tensions with First NationsCanada· 2025-05-28
This reflects a truism uttered by Canada’s original cabinet maker, Sir John A. Macdonald.
Mark Carney’s bulky and performative cabinetCanada· 2025-05-13
Sir John A. Macdonald stood before a large crowd at a picnic in Halifax and delivered an impassioned speech.
The U.S. waged a trade war against Canada before. Here’s how it endedCanada· 2025-03-28
Sir John A. Macdonald set out to build the Canadian Pacific Railway to connect the disparate regions of the nation after the Hudson’s Bay Company sold its monopoly to Canada.
Opinion: For centuries Hudson’s Bay faced death and survived. Can the company do so again?Canada· 2025-03-14
Sir John A. Macdonald won re-election in 1891 with a campaign focused on traditional values.
Opinion: A ‘change’ election? No. Canada’s next vote will be a ‘protect me from change election’Canada· 2025-02-25
Sir John A. Macdonald fought his last election campaign on a platform of tariffs and turning away from the United States.
Globe editorial: Donald Trump’s bully tactics are nothing newCanada· 2025-02-15
Sir John A. Macdonald founded residential schools and has been scrutinized for his views on Indigenous peoples.
Toronto District School Board should reconsider the decision to rename three schoolsCanada· 2025-02-08
