Arthur Milnes – författare

To coincide with the bicentennial of Sir John A. Macdonald''s birth, this is the first-ever selected collection of his most important and defining speeches. Published in collaboration with The Sir John A. Macdonald Bicentennial Commission, and endorsed by all of our living Prime Ministers, this is a beautifully produced book that deserves to be in all Canadian homes, schools, and libraries.   The Sir John A. Macdonald Bicentennial Commission set out several years ago to collect, annotate, and footnote all of our first Prime Minister''s speeches. Rather shockingly, this had not been done before; the speeches of even the most minor of US presidents are available in print and e-book form. Obviously, such a collection is a must for libraries and educational institutions across the country as a matter of historical record, but the speeches also make for great reading. His words have a Churchillian feel to them -- direct, decisive, visionary, and very often funny. Sir John A. is marvellously quotable, and through these speeches you understand how our country was formed, what its challenges were and often continue to be, and why our first PM was perhaps the best we''ll ever have.

In celebration of Sir Wilfrid Laurier''s 175th birthday -- November 20th, 2016 is "Sir Wilfrid Laurier Day" -- this is the first time his most important and iconic speeches will be published in book form, annotated and with essays by a stunning array of politicians, journalists, and acclaimed academics."Sunny ways my friends, sunny ways." These were the words used in triumph by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau the night he was elected Canada''s 23rd Prime Minister. They were also the words Sir Wilfrid Laurier used to call Canadians to greatness a century before. Canada Always brings together the most significant speeches of one of Canada''s greatest leaders on the 175th anniversary of his birth. Readers will follow Laurier from his earliest years in Canadian politics, through his history-making fifteen-year Premiership, and then again as his generous vision of Canada is sorely tested by the flames and fire of the First World War.      Edited by veteran political speechwriter and PM historian Arthur Milnes, Canada Always features essays of commentary by seven of Laurier''s living successors as Prime Minister of Canada. They are joined by Mr. Justice Thomas Cromwell of the Supreme Court of Canada; past Prime Ministerial chiefs-of-staff like Thomas Axworthy, Edward Goldenberg, Nigel Wright, Derek Burney, and Hugh Segal; journalists André Pratte, Steve Paikin, Jane Taber, Lawrence Martin, and Andrew Cohen; past and sitting Premiers Rachel Notley, Christy Clark, Jean Charest, Roy Romanow, Alison Redford, and Bob Rae; distinguished academics including David Asper; former US Ambassador to Canada David Jacobson (on Laurier''s legacy in Canada-US relations); while the Rt. Hon. Tony Blair considers Laurier from his unique position as a past Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. As Canada stands on the cusp of her 150th birthday, Canada Always will be an essential part of the library of any Canadian seeking a further understanding of the words that defined our nation: Laurier''s words.

In June 1985, David Peterson was sworn in as the leader of Ontario’s first Liberal government in forty-two years. This collection of speeches explores the activist agenda the London, Ontario, lawyer pursued through his premiership, which sought to ensure all Ontarians were able to participate fully in provincial society. When Peterson was asked what he viewed as his most important accomplishment, he thought for a brief moment and then whispered with obvious emotion, “breaking down walls and barriers.” Through his speeches, readers can see Premier Peterson on the wider Canadian stage by addressing the economic challenges faced by the federation – most notably free trade – and by supporting the Meech Lake Accord, which was designed to bring Quebec into the constitutional family. His speeches also show him on the global stage, engaged in the challenges of the transformation of world politics and Canada’s trading relationship with the United States. By the time Peterson’s premiership had come to an end in 1990, the Berlin Wall had fallen, Europe was increasingly integrated, a fragmented Soviet Union was beginning to collapse, the Canada-United States Free Trade Agreement was in full force and effect, and the age of globalization had begun. Through this selection of speeches, the editors also present insights into a range of other figures, from former premiers and Peterson’s political contemporaries to the British royal family. Particularly powerful tributes include Nelson Mandela’s first visit to Canada and Peterson’s eulogy for MPP Dalton McGuinty, Sr, the father of Ontario’s 24th premier. TVOntario’s Steve Paikin provides an in-depth introduction that puts the life and political times of Premier Peterson and his government in broader perspective.

In June 1985, David Peterson was sworn in as the leader of Ontario’s first Liberal government in forty-two years. This collection of speeches explores the activist agenda the London, Ontario, lawyer pursued through his premiership, which sought to ensure all Ontarians were able to participate fully in provincial society. When Peterson was asked what he viewed as his most important accomplishment, he thought for a brief moment and then whispered with obvious emotion, “breaking down walls and barriers.” Through his speeches, readers can see Premier Peterson on the wider Canadian stage by addressing the economic challenges faced by the federation – most notably free trade – and by supporting the Meech Lake Accord, which was designed to bring Quebec into the constitutional family. His speeches also show him on the global stage, engaged in the challenges of the transformation of world politics and Canada’s trading relationship with the United States. By the time Peterson’s premiership had come to an end in 1990, the Berlin Wall had fallen, Europe was increasingly integrated, a fragmented Soviet Union was beginning to collapse, the Canada-United States Free Trade Agreement was in full force and effect, and the age of globalization had begun. Through this selection of speeches, the editors also present insights into a range of other figures, from former premiers and Peterson’s political contemporaries to the British royal family. Particularly powerful tributes include Nelson Mandela’s first visit to Canada and Peterson’s eulogy for MPP Dalton McGuinty, Sr, the father of Ontario’s 24th premier. TVOntario’s Steve Paikin provides an in-depth introduction that puts the life and political times of Premier Peterson and his government in broader perspective.