From John To Justin

Serving as Governor General from 1995 to 1999, Romeo LeBlanc opened up Rideau Hall to the public more than any previous Governor General, resulting in a tripling of visitors to the property. He was also the first person of Acadian descent, the first former Senator and the first former member of the Parliamentary Press Bureau to serve as Governor General. Support: patreon.com/canadaehx Merch: https...

Ray Hnatyshyn was the son of the first Ukrainian-born Senator in Canadian history. After a career in politics, Hnatyshyn made history himself as the first Governor General of Ukrainian-descent. As Governor General, he was known for his friendly and humorous personality and he would open the doors to Rideau Hall and help make the position of Governor General more accessible to Canadians. Support: p...

Since Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King's interest in the occult was first revealed in 1951, he has been the subject of ridicule and scorn by some. Rather than looking for help with his political career, seances were a time for King to reconnect with the family he had lost decades earlier, to alleviate his own loneliness. Support: patreon.com/canadaehx Merch: https://www.ohcanadashop.com/...

Jeanne Sauve was a woman of firsts. The first Quebec woman to have a federal cabinet post, the first female Speaker of the House and the first female Governor General, she broke barriers throughout her life and overall was well-loved as Governor General. There would be hiccups along the way, but her impact on Canada cannot be understated. Support: patreon.com/canadaehx Merch: https://www.ohcanadas...

The first Governor General from Manitoba, he was the youngest premier in Manitoba's history & the third youngest Governor General ever. He was also unlike any Governor General to come before him, with many traditionalists unhappy with the populist farm-boy serving in such a prominent and prestigious position. Support: patreon.com/canadaehx Merch: https://www.ohcanadashop.com/collections/canadian-h...

After a long and distinguished career as a diplomat, Jules Leger came into the role as Governor General with promise. Sadly, a stroke only six months into his term severely limited his abilities for the rest of his term. If not for his wife, it is unlikely he would have continued on for the entire length of his term. Support: patreon.com/canadaehx Merch: https://www.ohcanadashop.com/collections/ca...

The first Governor General born in the 20th century, the first born in Western Canada and the first to be a former MP, Michener was known as the Jogging Governor General and came to office during the busy Centennial Year. He would become one of Canada's most respected Governors General. Support: patreon.com/canadaehx Merch: https://www.ohcanadashop.com/collections/canadian-history-ehx Donate: buym...

The first Francophone Governor General, Georges Vanier was a First World War veteran & he pressured the Mackenzie King government to bring in Jewish refugees during the Second World War. He would become the 2nd Governor General to die in office and was widely loved in Canada. Support: patreon.com/canadaehx Merch: https://www.ohcanadashop.com/collections/canadian-history-ehx Donate: buymeacoffee.co...

The first of the Canadian-born Governors General, Vincent Massey had a long diplomatic career prior to taking up the post. During his time as Governor General, he travelled all over Canada, including to the North Pole and he made Rideau Hall more accessible to Canadians of all classes. Support: patreon.com/canadaehx Merch: https://www.ohcanadashop.com/collections/canadian-history-ehx Donate: buyme...

I've launched a new podcast called Canada: A Yearly Journey, which will look at every year in Canada's history, beginning with 1867.The first episode dropped last week, with 1868 coming Thursday. Episodes release every Thursday. Find it on all your podcast platforms. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The last of the British men to serve as Governor General of Canada, Harold Alexander was a distinguished war hero, the favourite general of Sir Winston Churchill and a widely respected individual. He would love his time in Canada, calling it the best six years of his life. After his term ended, the time of the Canadian Governors General would begin. Support: patreon.com/canadaehx Merch: https://ww...

Taking office as Governor General in 1940 following the death of John Buchan, Alexander Cambridge served until 1946. During that time, he was heavily involved in the Canadian war effort, touring the country to raise funds to help Canada fight in the Second World War. Support: patreon.com/canadaehx Merch: https://www.ohcanadashop.com/collections/canadian-history-ehx Donate: buymeacoffee.com/craigu...

John Buchan took a unique path towards being Governor General. A commoner who is credited with inventing the spy thriller literary genre, he would be appointed to the peerage so he could serve as the Governor General. As Governor General, he travelled more than any other viceroy before him, promoted the literary art and, sadly, became the first Governor General to die in office. Support: patreon.c...

Coming to Canada in 1931, Lord Bessborough found a country in deep despair over The Great Depression. While he did not make waves as Governor General, Bessborough was part of many important events including the creation of the Governor General flag, the first trans-Canada phone call and the opening of the Welland Canal. Support: patreon.com/canadaehx Merch: https://www.ohcanadashop.com/collections...

During his time as Governor General from 1926 to 1931, Thomas Freeman didn't make many waves but he was the first Governor General to represent the Crown, not the British Government.  Support: patreon.com/canadaehx Merch: https://www.ohcanadashop.com/collections/canadian-history-ehx Donate: buymeacoffee.com/craigu Donate: canadaehx.com (Click Donate) E-mail: craig@canadaehx.com Twitter: twitter.co...

The election era of 1985 to 2018, Ontario politics would go through its most chaotic time. After four decades with only four premiers, this time would see two Liberal premiers, an NDP premier and two Conservative premiers. It was a wild time in politics. Support: patreon.com/canadaehx Merch: https://www.ohcanadashop.com/collections/canadian-history-ehx Donate: buymeacoffee.com/craigu Donate: canad...

Serving as Canada's Governor General from 1921 to 1926, Julian Byng was the former Commander of the Canadian Corps during the First World War. As Governor General, he would fundamentally alter the role of the position due to the King-Byng Affair of 1926. Support: patreon.com/canadaehx Merch: https://www.ohcanadashop.com/collections/canadian-history-ehx Donate: buymeacoffee.com/craigu Donate: canad...

In Part 4 of 5 of this special series, I look at the period of greatest political stability for Ontario ran from the 1950s to the early 1980s when the province had only three premiers, Leslie Frost, John Robarts and Bill Davis. It would be a time of immense change for the province. Support: patreon.com/canadaehx Merch: https://www.ohcanadashop.com/collections/canadian-history-ehx Donate: buymeacof...

Serving as Governor General from 1916 to 1921, Victor Cavendish arrived to a country that was splitting in two over the conscription crisis. He would attempt to heal that division but was mostly unsuccessful. Support: patreon.com/canadaehx Merch: https://www.ohcanadashop.com/collections/canadian-history-ehx Donate: buymeacoffee.com/craigu Donate: canadaehx.com (Click Donate) E-mail: craig@canadaeh...

The elections from 1926 to 1951 were dominated by The Great Depression, the Second World War and five baby girls born in rural Ontario. It would see the rise and fall of a popular Liberal premier, and the start of a four-decade Conservative dynasty. Support: patreon.com/canadaehx Merch: https://www.ohcanadashop.com/collections/canadian-history-ehx Donate: buymeacoffee.com/craigu Donate: canadaehx....

In this bonus episode, sponsored by Brett Hedges, I look at Howard McCurdy, who named the NDP, held 4 degrees, served in Parliament from 1984-1993, fought apartheid in South Africa & racism in Canada. Support: patreon.com/canadaehx Merch: https://www.ohcanadashop.com/collections/canadian-history-ehx Donate: buymeacoffee.com/craigu Donate: canadaehx.com (Click Donate) E-mail: craig@canadaehx.com Tw...

Our 10th Governor General, Prince Arthur The Duke of Connaught, son of Queen Victoria and a lifelong soldier, had a long history in Canada and he would always remember the country fondly. He would tour the country, fight a battle here and put his name behind many causes during the First World War. Support: patreon.com/canadaehx Merch: www.canadaehx.com/shop Donate: canadaehx.com (Click Donate) E-m...

Prohibition was the major issue as the first Conservative dynasty led Canada into the 20th century. While the first Conservative dynasty arrived in this time period, a new party would inspire farmers and rural voters by the end of the second decade. Support: patreon.com/canadaehx Merch: https://www.ohcanadashop.com/collections/canadian-history-ehx Donate: buymeacoffee.com/craigu Donate: canadaehx....

Serving as Governor General for six years, Earl Grey travelled the country, tried to change the image of the Frozen North, supported women's suffrage and Asian-Canadians. He would also donate a trophy that has become an icon of Canada, the Grey Cup. Support: patreon.com/canadaehx Merch: https://www.ohcanadashop.com/collections/canadian-history-ehx Donate: buymeacoffee.com/craigu Donate: canadaehx....

Today, I begin a five-part series that looks at every election in the history of Ontario. The years of 1867 to 1894 was a time for Ontario to begin to take its first steps after Confederation and the years would be dominated by one man, Sir Oliver Mowat, who led the province for 24 years in that time. Support: patreon.com/canadaehx Merch: https://www.ohcanadashop.com/collections/canadian-history-e...