Professor Patrice Dutil, MA, PhD, is one of Canada’s most energetic champions of political history—a political science professor, author, commentator, and all‑around ideas enthusiast who brings the past to life with curiosity and flair. He has written, co-authored, or edited fourteen books so far. He frequently comments on public affairs on the radio, TV and national media.
He has written extensively on Sir John A. Macdonald, including Sir John A. Macdonald at 200: New Reflections and Legacies and Prime Ministerial Power in Canada: Its Origins under Macdonald, Laurier and Borden. His two most recent books on the subject are Ballots and Brawls: The 1867 Canadian General Election and Sir John A. Macdonald and the Apocalyptic Year of 1885.
Patrice joined the Department of Politics and Public Administration at the Toronto Metropolitan University as a faculty member in 2006, after nearly 20 years in the public service and the not-for-profit sector. He has spent his career exploring how leadership, elections, and public institutions shape the country we know today.
Dr. Dutil compelling laid out the case why the activities to “cancel” John A Macdonald from his pivotal place in Canadian history is very misguided and factually incorrect. History is complex and the record matters! He presented 3 key ways to reconcile Sir John A: Remember: 1) his nation building accomplishments upto 1873; 2) his success addressing the immense challenges he faced from 1878-1891; and 3) that the electorate gave him six majorities – more than any other prime minister!
1885 was considered an apocalyptic year for Sir John A. Macdonald due to multiple crises, including the North-West Resistance led by Louis Riel, widespread starvation among Indigenous peoples, and significant challenges to Canadian sovereignty. These events tested Macdonald’s leadership and the stability of the young nation.
