Wednesday June 23rd 1999

Canada is a country with strong Scottish connections which at times are hard to miss, and sometimes turn up in the least expected of places. After all, one of their provinces (Nova Scotia) is literally called New Scotland. Toronto is no exception to this rule, and this is a theme which I will continue to explore as we travel through Canada. In fact, one of the leaflets I came across in London (Ontario, not England) was an invitation to a Scottish Festival in a little town called Fergus near Guelph, Ontario. Unfortunately, we don't have the time to visit my name-town (to coin a phrase), but it is indicative.

Our first hint of Scottishness came as we wandered through downtown Toronto. A central plaza was playing host to a "Tribute to Seniors" day, and as the band finished off with a Glen Miller medley, I heard the sound of a piper somewhere in the distance. Naturally I had to investigate, and I came across an excellent piper, Canadian through and through, busking, although passers-by seemed more interested in his kilt than in the music, and we had to wait our turn to take a picture.

Fergus and nameless piper in downtown Toronto

Later the same day, we happened to be inside the Toronto Anglican Church, which is open to the public during the day as a historical building, when I came across a plaque on the wall. Evidently the founder of the Anglican Church in Toronto was a Scot born in Edinburgh! I was intrigued, since the Anglicans are not exactly much in evidence in Scotland.

Further on in our wanderings, we saw an impressive looking building in the distance, and asked a streetside sausage seller what it was. It turned out to be the Ontario Provincial Parliament:

Veronika in front of the Ontario Parliament building in Toronto

As we neared the building, I noticed a prominent statue dominating the approach. Closer inspection revealed the name MacDonald inscribed on the statue's plinth. I was of course very interested to read the following caption:

" Sir John A MacDonald 1815-1891

Canada's first Prime Minister was born in Glasgow, Scotland, and immigrated with his family to Kingston, Upper Canada, in 1820. A successful lawyer, he was elected to the provincial legislature in 1844 and became leader of the Conservative Party. He played a leading role in the effort to achieve a federal union of Britain's North American colonies which resulted in the formation of the Dominion of Canada on July 1 1867. MacDonald served as Prime Minister 1867-73 and 1878-91, and under his administration large territories were added to Canada, a transcontinental railway built and settlement of the west encouraged. At his death Canada's autonomy, based on rapid economic development and a close British-Canadian relationship, was assured."

Statue of Sir John A MacDonald, Canada's first prime minister, in front of the Ontario parliament

The Ontario parliament is set in a beautiful formal garden called Queen's Park, named after Queen Victoria and not after the Glasgow football team! There are three other statues in front of the parliament building, one of Queen Victoria herself, and two more with Scottish connections:

Statue of Hon. George Brown, a leading figure in the Quebec Conference, in front of the Ontario parliament

" Hon George Brown, 1818-1880

Born near Edinburgh, Scotland, Brown emigrated with his father to New York in 1837. In 1843 he moved to Toronto and the following year founded the "Globe" Newspaper which achieved great political influence. Elected to the legislature as a reform member in 1851, Brown became a leader of his party in Canada West. In 1858, with A A Dorion, he formed a short-lived government. In 1864 he entered the "Great Coalition" government with his adversary, John A MacDonald, and played a leading part at the Quebec conference which led to the establishment of the Dominion of Canada on July 1 1867. Appointed to the Senate in 1873, Brown remained interested in politics until his death."

John Sandfield MacDonald, first prime minister of Ontario

" Hon John Sandfield MacDonald, 1812-1872

Born in Raphael, MacDonald was first elected to represent Glengarry in the legislature of the Province of Canada in 1841. He became one of the leaders of the Reform Party and served in several administrations prior to confederation in 1867. Prime Minister of the Province of Canada, 1863-64, he later served as the first Prime Minister of Ontario, 1867-71. Always independent in his political thinking, he had at first opposed the federation of the provinces. Later, he co-operated with Sir John A MacDonald, chief architect of confederation, at whose request he formed a coalition ministry in Ontario."

Previous | Next | Travel index | Family history | Romany | Main index