About this episode
This episode explores the complexities and legacy of John A. Macdonald, Canada's first Prime Minister, through the insights of guest Patrice Dutil.
John A. Macdonald stands as one of the most influential and controversial figures in Canadian history, a political architect whose vision helped bring a nation into being. The first Prime Minister of Canada. His rise through colonial politics, his central role in Confederation and his leadership in the first decades of this country’s existence shaped the nation we understand today in so many ways. He was a man of ambition, a man of compromises, and a man of contradictions and the complexities that defined him also defined his leadership in a fragile, emerging country dealing with a rapidly evolving world and continent. Through both achievement and controversy, Macdonald’s legacy continues to shape Canada. In this second installment of a two part series we look at John A Macdonald’s early vision for Canada, resistance to that vision, his controversial policies towards First Nations and finally his legacy. This is John A. Macdonald Part 2. Patrice Dutil is a professor of politics and public administration at Toronto Metropolitan University. He has written, co-written and edited fourteen books and has covered many aspects of leadership, both at the political and the administrative…
People in this episode
Host: David Borys
Guest: Patrice Dutil
Topics covered
- Canadian history
- John A. Macdonald
- Confederation
- First Nations policies
- political leadership
- legacy
Keywords
- John A. Macdonald
- Canada
- Confederation
- First Nations
- political history
- Patrice Dutil
- leadership
- legacy
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Toronto Metropolitan University, Literary Review of Canada, Champlain Society
Books & works: Macdonald at 200: New Perspectives and Legacies
More episodes of Curious Canadian History
- S11E19 Moe Norman: A Canadian Golf Legend · June 9, 2026 · 46 min
- S11E18 The 'LGBT Purge' and the Limits of Forgiveness · June 2, 2026 · 46 min
- S11E16 - John A. Macdonald Part 1 · May 5, 2026 · 40 min
- S11E15 - Prince Edward Island Joins Canada · April 21, 2026 · 47 min
- S11E14 Battle Series: D-Day Phase One vs. the Battle of the Scheldt · April 7, 2026 · 59 min
- S11E13 Red River Reflection: The Myth of François Guilmette · March 24, 2026 · 42 min
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Curious Canadian History podcast page.