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Literary Collections Speeches

Canada Always

The Defining Speeches of Sir Wilfrid Laurier

by (author) Arthur Milnes

Publisher
McClelland & Stewart
Initial publish date
Oct 2016
Category
Speeches, Post-Confederation (1867-), Canadian
  • Hardback

    ISBN
    9780771059773
    Publish Date
    Oct 2016
    List Price
    $39.95

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Description

In celebration of Sir Wilfrid Laurier's 175th birthday -- November 20th, 2016 is "Sir Wilfrid Laurier Day" -- this is the first time his most important and iconic speeches will be published in book form, annotated and with essays by a stunning array of politicians, journalists, and acclaimed academics.

"Sunny ways my friends, sunny ways." These were the words used in triumph by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau the night he was elected Canada's 23rd Prime Minister. They were also the words Sir Wilfrid Laurier used to call Canadians to greatness a century before. Canada Always brings together the most significant speeches of one of Canada's greatest leaders on the 175th anniversary of his birth. Readers will follow Laurier from his earliest years in Canadian politics, through his history-making fifteen-year Premiership, and then again as his generous vision of Canada is sorely tested by the flames and fire of the First World War.
Edited by veteran political speechwriter and PM historian Arthur Milnes, Canada Always features essays of commentary by seven of Laurier's living successors as Prime Minister of Canada. They are joined by Mr. Justice Thomas Cromwell of the Supreme Court of Canada; past Prime Ministerial chiefs-of-staff like Thomas Axworthy, Edward Goldenberg, Nigel Wright, Derek Burney, and Hugh Segal; journalists André Pratte, Steve Paikin, Jane Taber, Lawrence Martin, and Andrew Cohen; past and sitting Premiers Rachel Notley, Christy Clark, Jean Charest, Roy Romanow, Alison Redford, and Bob Rae; distinguished academics including David Asper; former US Ambassador to Canada David Jacobson (on Laurier's legacy in Canada-US relations); while the Rt. Hon. Tony Blair considers Laurier from his unique position as a past Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. As Canada stands on the cusp of her 150th birthday, Canada Always will be an essential part of the library of any Canadian seeking a further understanding of the words that defined our nation: Laurier's words.

About the author

Arthur Milnes is a journalist and public historian and served as a speech writer for Prime Minister Stephen Harper. He has edited volumes about the presidencies of George H.W. Bush and Jimmy Carter, and the leadership of prime ministers Sir John A. Macdonald and Sir Wilfrid Laurier, and other Canadian leaders. He also served as research assistant to the Rt. Hon. Brian Mulroney on his bestselling memoirs. Arthur lives in Kingston, Ontario.

 

Arthur Milnes' profile page