Monday, March 12th marked the celebration of Commonwealth Day, a day which is meant to promote understanding about international co-operation, global issues, and the efforts of the Commonwealth, which is made up of 54 countries, to improve the lives of its citizens.

The celebration of Commonwealth Day is held on the second Monday of every March. This year’s theme was “Connecting Cultures,” and this theme will be celebrated at special events that will take place all this week, from the 12th to the 16th.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued a statement on Monday to note this year’s Commonwealth Day, saying, “This day provides us with the opportunity to celebrate the strong bonds of cooperation and friendship that exist among the 54 countries that form the Commonwealth”. He added, “This year is of particular significance for Commonwealth members as together we celebrate the 60th anniversary of the accession to the throne of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.”

Canada is unique in that it is a member of both the Commonwealth and La Francophonie, which reflects our historic attachment to both international communities. March 20th will also mark International Francophonie Day, and it seems fitting that Canada will be celebrating its involvement with La Francophonie and The Commonwealth in the same month.

March 20th will be International Francophonie Day, which is organized annually around the world to commemorate the founding of the Organization internationale de la Francophonie and promote French language and culture. Founded on March 20th, 1970, La Francophonie is an international organization of states and governments, of which Canada is a member. Membership in La Francophonie requires a state or government to have French as a mother or customary language, a significant proportion of the population who are Francophones, or a notable affiliation with French language or culture.

Canada has a French-speaking population of more than 9 million people. In the words of former NDP leader Jack Layton, upon noting 2011′s International Francophonie Day: “Canada’s varied and unique francophone communities have made an invaluable contribution to Canadian society. Over time, these communities have helped shape our identity as a country, something we are very proud of.”

Canada is unique in that it is a member of both the Commonwealth and La Francophonie, which reflects our historic attachment to both international communities. The Macdonald-Cartier Society is named after Sir John A. Macdonald, a Scot who immigrated to Canada at age 5, and Sir George-Étienne Cartier, a French-Canadian. The two were like Siamese twins in both their political and personal lives, and the naming of our organization is based on the two founding nations of Confederation.

As linguistic duality and cultural diversity are Canadian values, the Macdonald-Cartier Society includes these themes under the “Heritage” component of our “History and Heritage” program. As an organization, we are committed to consulting with all young Canadians, including Francophone youth, as a part of our programs.

The International Day of La Francophonie will be held in London, England, on March 17th. Its theme for 2012 will be, “French is a chance.” As part of international Francophonie month, Minister of State ( La Francophonie ) Bernard Valcourt launched Francophonie Week earlier this month at a reception in Boston, saying, “I am always happy to highlight the importance of the French language wherever I go as a way to promote this language, which is such an integral part of our cultural heritage.”

Meanwhile, this June 26th-27th will be the date of Canada’s 17th Ministerial Conference on the Canadian Francophonie. The Ministerial Conference on the Canadian Francophonie, which meets every year, is an intergovernmental forum meant to bring together various ministers in order to address Francophonie-related issues. It was created in 1994.

On Monday February 27th, the Hon. Bernard Valcourt, Minister of State for La Francophonie, took part in a press conference announcing the launch of the 14th annual Rendez-vous de la Francophonie (RVF). In its own words, the RVF is “part of the events surrounding the Journée Internationale de la Francophonie (held on March 20th), which is organized every year around the world to promote the French language and its numerous cultural expressions.”

An initiative of the Canadian Foundation for Cross-Cultural Dialogue, the RVF is a series of artistic and cultural events geared towards promoting La Francophonie Month. At the Societe Macdonald-Cartier Society, we are pleased to mark such an important celebration of Canada’s French culture. Executive Director Immanuel Giulea adds that, “We look forward to working with Francophone youth organizations from coast-to-coast and consulting them on their vision of Canada, ahead of the 150th anniversary of Confederation in 2017.”

Monday morning’s press conference was held at Yuk Yuk’s International Stand-Up Comedy in Ottawa, ON.

This Wednesday, February 15th, Canadians from coast-to-coast-to-coast celebrated National Flag of Canada Day. National Flag of Canada Day was first declared 16 years ago, in 1996, to mark the date in 1965 when Canada’s red and white maple leaf flag was first raised, not only at Parliament Hill in Ottawa, but in hundreds of communities across the country. His Majesty the King George V designated red and white as Canada’s official colours in 1921.

On February 15th, 1965, when our current flag was first raised, then-prime minister Lester B. Pearson declared that, “… this day, the 15th day of February 1965, will always be remembered as a milestone in Canada’s national progress.” It certainly will be.

The Société Macdonald-Cartier Society was pleased to mark this week’s celebration of a key moment in our nation’s history. We hope that Canada’s flag will be celebrated for many years to come.

Today, February 6th 2012, marks the 60th anniversary of the reign of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada. This momentous occasion will be the focus of a year-long Diamond Jubilee celebration in Canada, which will be kicked off this week by, among other things, the dedication of a stained-glass artwork at the Parliament Buildings. To mark the occasion, His Excellency, the Right Honourable David Johnston, along with Prime Minister Stephen Harper, launched the Jubilee Medals in a ceremony at Rideau Hall this morning. The inaugural 60 Diamond Jubilee Medals were presented to 60 “outstanding citizens” — one medal for each year of the Queen’s reign. The Peace Tower will also be flying the Jubilee flag for the entire week.

Furthermore, as a part of this year-round celebration, the federal government has set aside a $7.5 million budget for Jubilee projects to celebrate Her Majesty the Queen’s 60 years on the throne. This money will be used mainly for Jubilee medal presentations, which will be held throughout the year in Ottawa and our provincial capitals.

As it is part of the Macdonald-Cartier Society’s mission to educate young people about our public institutions which include the Canadian crown, Parliament’s relationship with the Queen, and our country being a constitutional monarchy, we look forward to celebrating this great moment in Canadian and Commonwealth history. Queen Elizabeth II has had an involved relationship with Canada since taking the throne on February 6th, 1952. For instance, in 1957 she became the first monarch to preside over an opening of our Parliament. She proclaimed the opening of the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, and declared the enactment of the Constitution Act in 1982. In all, she has toured Canada over twenty times during her reign.
While the Queen herself will not be visiting Canada this year, heir-to-the-throne Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, will be conducting a Royal Tour of New Brunswick, Saskatchewan, and Ontario this May. The Macdonald-Cartier Society will be closely following the tour as it happens.

On a related note, the Ottawa branch of the Monarchist League of Canada will be hosting Immigration and Citizenship Minister Jason Kenney at the University of Ottawa this Tuesday, February 7th, at 6:30 PM for a discussion of the monarchy’s importance in Canada. Macdonald-Cartier Society founder and executive director Immanuel Giulea will be in the crowd at this event, and had the following to say about his attendance: “This is an extremely important topic for discussion, and I look forward to seeing how the Monarchist League of Canada and Jason Kenney present the monarchy’s role in Canadian society.”

For more information about the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medals

Statement from Prime Minister Stephen Harper about the Diamond Jubilee Medals

Original CTV footage of Queen Elizabeth II from 1970 to her latest visit to Canada in 2010

Diamond Jubilee Tribute to Her Majesty The Queen

On Tuesday January 24th, representatives of First Nations communities met with officials from the federal government, in an historic Crown-First Nations Gathering. Among others, Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Governor-General David Johnston, Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Minister John Duncan, and Assembly of First Nations National Chief Shawn Atleo were in attendance.

The theme of the gathering was “Strengthening Our Relationship–Unlocking Our Potential,” and it was meant to provide, in Minister Duncan’s words, “an opportunity for a practical and frank discussion on how we can work together to improve the quality of life and economic prosperity of First Nations in Canada.”

An excerpt from a statement by Prime Minister Stephen Harper on the gathering:

“John George Diefenbaker was, in many ways, the initiator of the modern era of Crown – First Nations relations. It was he who named the first First Nations member to the Parliament of Canada, Senator James Gladstone in 1958. And, it was he who, two years later, extended to aboriginal Canadians living on reserves the right to vote in national elections. In addressing that long-standing and fundamental injustice, he was a man ahead of his time and in many ways, an apt inspiration for today’s proceedings. [...] It is in no small part the vision and conception of the National Chief that has led to this gathering today, and I know we all congratulate him for that leadership.”

National Chief Shawn Atleo had the following to say in his closing remarks on Tuesday:

“Today was an important day in advancing our call to “renew” the relationship between First Nations and Canada. I thank the Prime Minister and all of the Cabinet for being here with us throughout the day as well as the important Regional Roundtable yesterday … these are critical opportunities to be heard and to begin the dialogue needed. [...] First Nations demonstrated that today: we have the answers. We are the prime movers in change and we must be full partners in this important work. We will settle for nothing less.”

The Macdonald-Cartier Society closely followed the meeting as it developed. During the meeting on Tuesday, SMCS Founder Immanuel Giulea stated that:

“In light of recent events such as the Attawapiskat crisis, the expectations for this Gathering are quite high. All my hopes are that the meeting today is the first step to finally completing Confederation, 145 years after the process was started in 1867. I agree with Mark Starowicz who recently wrote in the Globe and Mail that ”The Confederation project is incomplete. As we approach our 150th anniversary as a nation, and as we prepare to celebrate who we are, there’s still time to imagine who we could become.”

After the meeting, Giulea said,

“We at the Macdonald Cartier Society see the Gathering of this week as a concrete step forward to improve Crown-First Nations relations in Canada. We hope that the partners in the Crown-First Nations Gathering will maintain the relationship through an ongoing dialogue that outlines clear goals and measures of progress and success and that the commitment to work together and release a progress report in January 2013 will be followed on. The Society looks forward to working with First Nations, Metis, Inuit, and Innu youth as we develop our programs in the future, and hearing their visions of tomorrow’s Canada.”

Since 8:30am this morning, Prime Minister Stephen Harper is participating in the much-anticipated Crown-First Nations Gathering, which is meant to bring together representatives of both the federal government and First Nations in order to provide, in the words of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Minister John Duncan, “an opportunity for a practical and frank discussion on how we can work together to improve the quality of life and economic prosperity of First Nations in Canada.” (The rest of John Duncan’s statement can be read here).

Along with Prime Minister Harper and Minister Duncan, Governor-General David Johnston and Assembly of First Nations National Chief Shawn Atleo are also attending this Crown-First Nations Gathering, which is being held at the John. G Diefenbaker Building on Sussex Drive, in Ottawa.

The Macdonald-Cartier Society has been closely following this meeting as it develops. SMCS’ Founder, Immanuel Giulea said this morning,

“In light of recent events such as the Attawapiskat crisis, the expectations for this Gathering are quite high. All my hopes are that the meeting today is the first step to finally completing Confederation, 145 years after the process was started in 1867. I agree with Mark Starowicz who recently wrote in the Globe and Mail that ‎”The Confederation project is incomplete. As we approach our 150th anniversary as a nation, and as we prepare to celebrate who we are, there’s still time to imagine who we could become.”

Yesterday, Senior Adviser Joseph Quesnel was interviewed on the Sun News Network about his views on the Crown-First Nations Gathering. His interview can be seen here:
Joseph Quesnel on Sun News

A more complete reaction will follow after the meeting concludes this afternoon.

What a year 2011 has been.

Sir John A. Macdonald, Canada’s first Prime Minister was born on January 10th 1815 in Glasgow, Scotland around 4pm.

We are now just 3 years away from his bicentennial. Sir John A. deserves a big party for his 200th !!

That doesn’t mean Cartier won’t be jealous for his 200th birthday on September 6, 2014, so let’s not forget about him !!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Organization Celebrates 2-Year Anniversary

Youth-led Organization Begins Third Year with Growing Role in Public Discourse

MONTREAL, QC. November 2, 2011 – Today the Société Macdonald-Cartier Society celebrates two years as an organization promoting the education of young leaders about history, heritage and culture while encouraging greater civic literacy in our youth.

The Society’s second anniversary comes as a major organizational project, Save Wellington Street, comes to a close after attaining its goal of preserving the name of the historic street. Entering its third year, the organization hopes to focus its energies on new projects such as a campaign to restore the LaFontaine House in Montreal, support for celebrations of the bicentennial of Sir George-Étienne Cartier’s birth in September 2014, Sir John A. Macdonald’s birth in January 2015, and the 150th anniversary of Confederation in 2017.

Society founder Immanuel Giulea commented on the anniversary, stating, “It has been a tremendous honour to lead our organization over the past two years. I have met countless people from all walks of life united in their commitment to strengthening our public discourse and civic literacy as a country. As an organization we share these goals and are excited to continue to highlight heritage, culture and civic literacy amongst youth as we begin our third year.”

The Société Macdonald-Cartier Society would like to extend its thanks for all the public support the organization has received over the last two years and the Society will continue to show its commitment to the education and engagement of Canada’s youth in the years to come.

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The Société Macdonald-Cartier Society is one of Canada’s most dynamic youth-led non-profit organizations. Its mandate is to educate young leaders about Canadian history, heritage and culture; increase their level of civic literacy; and bring their voices and ideas to the nation’s public policy discourse.

For more information or to arrange an interview please contact Immanuel Giulea, Founder and Executive Director, at immanuel@macdonaldcartier.org or 514-577-2669.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Dave Meslin, Joseph Quesnel Join the Société Macdonald-Cartier Society

Organization welcomes two more senior advisors to its ranks

MONTREAL, QC. November 1, 2011 – The Société Macdonald-Cartier Society is honoured to welcome Joseph Quesnel and Dave Meslin to the organization to act as senior advisors.

Dave Meslin is a Toronto-based activist, community organizer and professional rabble-rouser. He is fiercely optimistic and embraces ideas and projects that cut across traditional boundaries between grassroots and electoral politics as well as the arts community.

Meslin is best known for his role during the 2006 City Idol contest; as co-editor of Local Motion, a book about civic projects and engagement in Toronto; Dandyhorse, Toronto’s first urban cycling magazine; and Spacing, an award-winning urban affairs publication. Most recently, he founded the Ranked Ballot Initiative of Toronto (RaBIT). Meslin’s online writings can be found at his blog, Mez Dispenser.

Joseph Quesnel has a Bachelor degree from McGill University with majors in political science and history. He specialized in Canadian and American politics with an emphasis on constitutional law. He is completing a Master of Journalism degree at Carleton University with specialization in political reporting. Quesnel covered House standing committees and Senate committees for two years following his graduation from Carleton. He completed internships at CFRA 580 AM, a talk radio station in Ottawa, and the Cable Public Affairs Channel (CPAC).

Currently, Joseph works as a policy analyst at the Frontier Centre for Public Policy where he focuses on Aboriginal matters and property rights. He is based in Lethbridge, Alberta, is originally from Sudbury, Ontario, and is of Métis ancestry from Québec.

The Société Macdonald-Cartier Society is pleased to count both Dave Meslin and Joseph Quesnel among our closest advisors. We look forward to working with them and gaining valuable insight from their leadership and experience.

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The Société Macdonald-Cartier Society is one of Canada’s most dynamic youth-led non-profit organizations. Its mandate is to educate young leaders about Canadian history, heritage and culture; increase their level of civic literacy; and bring their voices and ideas to the nation’s public policy discourse.

For more information or to arrange an interview please contact Immanuel Giulea, Founder and Executive Director, at immanuel@macdonaldcartier.org or 514-577-2669.