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“I am a Canadian, free to speak without fear, free to worship in my own way, free to stand for what I think right, free to oppose what I believe wrong, or free to choose those who shall govern my country. This heritage of freedom I pledge to uphold for myself and all mankind.” ~~ John G. Diefenbaker

Aaron Gunn: It doesn’t mean we have to tear down our past ... and it certainly doesn’t mean we should be ashamed of the country we call home


Here in Montreal, the statue* of Canada’s first Prime Minister, Sir John A. Macdonald, has been defaced once again – it happened early in the morning of Thursday March 21st.

The results of which you can see right behind me and that the City of Montreal are doing their very best to clean up.

It’s just the latest in what’s become a routine assault on the father of confederation and the history of this country.

The truth is Canadians should be proud of their history and the central role Sir John A. had in shaping it.

He built this country, from the ground up. From confederation to the national railway his story and that of Canada’s is one and the same; a story of perseverance, determination and success against all odds. 

Was he perfect?

Statue of Sir John A. Macdonald
being torn down in Victoria
No ... but you’d be hard pressed to find a man born in 1815, who lives up to the expectations of today.

But that’s okay ... things change.

That doesn’t mean we have to re-write our history ... it doesn’t mean we have to tear down our past ... and it certainly doesn’t mean we should be ashamed of the country we call home.


Prior to his work for BC Proud, Aaron worked for the Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) where he founded and became Executive Director of the Generation Screwed initiative, fighting back against government debt and its impact on future generations.

He is an advocate for taxpayers and common sense. Throughout his work and notably in his role as Spokesperson for BC Proud, Aaron has been a voice for citizens across British Columbia and Canada.


*In 1895, the site chosen for installation of the monument to Sir John Alexander Macdonald was the south part of Dominion Square, positioning it as the focal point of a long perspective view.

In 1967, this part of the square was renamed Place du Canada, which was a perfect fit with the presence of the monument, Macdonald having been one of the Fathers of Confederation and Canada’s first prime minister.

CLICK HERE to read more about the sculpture of Sir John A. Macdonald
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