In an essay in the Globe and Mail (Toronto's national newspaper), former Liberal prime minister John Turner argued that one Canadian prime minister stood head and shoulders above all other prime ministers: Sir John A. Mcdonald.
In short, Liberal Turner argues that Conservative Mcdonald built this nation and was its greatest prime minister. And he deserves the recognition Americans give their most notable leaders
This was my published reply...
I am a proud Canadian, now living and working in Taipei, Taiwan (NOT a part of China). When I went home to Ontario for Christmas, I returned to Taiwan with some Canadian money.
While paying for my coffee at my favourite coffee shop, I accidentally pulled out a Canadian $10 bill.
The coffee shop owner asked me, "Is that the father of your country?"
It was a natural question. Who else's picture would you put on a $10 bill?
It was a natural question. Who else's picture would you put on a $10 bill?
How could I, as a Canadian, explain to my Taiwanese friend, that although Sir John A. Macdonald was the first prime minister and the man who built Canada, he was not considered our national father. I didn't even want to get into the idea that we had several "Fathers of Confederation."
In Taiwan, officially known as the Republic of China (ROC), only two political figures appear on the currency: Sun Yat-sen and Chiang Kai-shek.
In Taiwan, officially known as the Republic of China (ROC), only two political figures appear on the currency: Sun Yat-sen and Chiang Kai-shek.
Sun Yat-sen never saw his dream of a united China. Yet even in Communist China, he is honored as "the founder of modern China." Sun Yat-sen never lived in Taiwan. Still, here in the ROC, he is honoured as "the father of the country" and his birthday is celebrated as a national holiday.
Isn't it about time that we, as Canadians, did the same for Sir John A.?
1 comment:
Liked the post and also noticed your great tagging category "Taiwan not China".
From now on, we should all learn from you to tag our post whenever it mentions "Taiwan" we should tag it like the way you do or expand a little: "Taiwan not part of China".
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