Boswell noted, the raising of the flag was a decisive moment in the colony’s history: it was the subject of a watercolour drawn on the spot by a French Canadian named Charles Alphonse Doudiet, a miner and rebel sympathizer. The watercolour depicts the rebels ringed around Ross’s flag. A century later the watercolour was discovered in an attic of a descendant. Since then, it has been reproduced in history texts and on Australian stamps. Along with the present-day Australian flag, it draws attention to the enduring contribution of two former Canadians — Ross and Doudiet — to the independence of Australia, Canada’s “sister Dominion.”
076. How many federal ministers have resigned from Cabinet on principle?
There is much talk of “ministerial responsibility,” but in the last sixty or so years, of the hundreds of members of Parliament who have been appointed to federal Cabinet posts, only two ministers have ever resigned from Cabinet on matters of principle.
Columnist Graham Fraser made this observation in his article “Missile Defence Debate Haunts P.M.,” the Toronto Star, December 19, 2004. He noted that James L. Ralston, minister of national defence in Prime Minister Mackenzie King’s Cabinet, resigned in 1942 over the issue of conscription. (King opposed conscription, Ralston favoured it.) It was not until 1963 that the second Cabinet minister, another minister of national defence, resigned. Douglas Harkness left Cabinet to protest Prime Minister John G. Diefenbaker’s refusal to accept arming Canada’s Bomarc missiles with nuclear warheads. The first resignation occurred during the Second World War, and the second at the height of the Cold War.
077. Do New Canadians receive free Bibles?
Free copies of the King James version of the Bible were automatically presented to all new Canadians at citizenship ceremonies for a period of about fifty years. Copies were made available on a complimentary basis by the Canadian Bible Society. The practice of such presentations was discontinued in 1998 in the interests of multiculturalism, freedom of religion, and a separation of church and state.
The Bible Society objected. According to Leslie Scrivener, in “Welcome to Canada: Bring Your Own Bible,” the Toronto Star, December 26, 2004: “We are very concerned that this is not protecting the rights of Canadians — it’s taking away rights. If you exclude something how are you protecting people’s freedom? What if most people want them?”
Removal of the Bibles was supported by the Humanist Association of Canada, which recommended that the oath of allegiance should be based on a non-religious statement. Its director noted, “When you give testimony is your religious faith relevant? What is important is your obligation to fellow citizens and your country to tell the truth.”
078. Who was Whipper Billy Watson?
Fans of wrestling enjoyed watching the astounding feats and dumbfounding deeds of Whipper Billy Watson (1916–1990), the country’s best-known professional wrestler. He was born William Potts in Toronto. Until his retirement, following an automobile accident in 1971, he brought colour to the ring and won numerous titles, including the world wrestling and the commonwealth championships. It is said that he won 99 percent of the 6,300 matches in his thirty-year career. He is fondly remembered by fans for the Canadian Avalanche (cartwheels that dazzled opponents) and Canuck Commando Unconscious (a special grip that momentarily puts an opponent out of commission). In retirement he assisted charities for impaired children and the disabled. As for his nickname, it is said that he “whipped” all his opponents.
079. How many serving prime ministers have had to testify in court?
It is extremely rare for a prime minister still in office to testify before a court of law. More often, a former prime minister is required to appear in court to offer testimony about government procedures and policies. While still in office, two Canadian prime ministers were summoned to appeared before judges.
Prime Minister John A. Macdonald appeared before a three-man commission on September 17, 1873, to explain his involvement (or non-involvement) in the Pacific Scandal. He was accused of soliciting election funds from Sir Hugh Allan in exchange for Allan’s appointment to the presidency of the Canadian Pacific Railway Company. Macdonald claimed, “These hands are clean!” but the commission found him guilty of “having obtained money from a suspicious source and having applied it to illegitimate purposes.” He subsequently resigned from office to sit in the Opposition benches. Throughout, Macdonald wrapped himself in the flag of Canadian nationalism.
Prime Minister Paul Martin appeared on February 10, 2005, before the Gomery Commission, which investigated the expenditure of public funds that had been awarded largely without tender or accountability to Liberal-friendly advertising agencies in Quebec. The prime minister at the time was Jean Chrétien, and he appeared as a witness. Paul Martin, his minister of finance and subsequently his successor as prime minister, testified that he knew nothing of what had happened. In fact, both Chrétien and Martin wrapped themselves in the flag of Canadian unity.
080. Do portraits of living Canadians appear on postage stamps?
By tradition, portraits of living Canadians do not appear on Canadian postage stamps. However, regular-issue stamps do bear likeness of the reigning monarchs, and since Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is a Canadian by statute, her portrait does appear on stamps. At the same time, some commemorative stamps bear recognizable images of living hockey stars and astronauts, but these are issued to mark group endeavours. Canada Post broke its tradition with the issue of a stamp that bears the beaming features of jazz pianist Oscar Peterson. The 50-cent stamp appeared on August 15, 2005, to celebrate his eightieth birthday and mark Peterson’s contribution to the world of popular music.
081. Did a Canadian play a role in Lincoln’s assassination?
In a way, a man of Canadian birth did play a part in that assassination.
During the American Civil War, U.S. president Abraham Lincoln, while attending a production at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, was shot and mortally wounded by John Wilkes Booth, actor and Confederate agent. Booth, ever theatrical, leapt onto the stage and yelled to the horrified audience, “Sic semper tyrannis!” before making his escape.
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