'Context Matters': New campaign aims to give more balanced account of Canadian history

Across Canada, statues are coming down, buildings and streets are being renamed, and historical figures are being reevaluated as institutions grapple with reconciling the past with changing values. While proponents argue these changes address potential historical injustices, they have also sparked heated debates. Some argue that removing monuments and altering historical names erases, misunderstands or even misrepresents history, while others see it as necessary for a more accurate and inclusive understanding of Canada’s past. In response to the ongoing debate, the Canadian Institute for Historical Education (CIHE) launched the “ Context Matters ” campaign on April 16. The campaign aims to give people a deeper and more balanced perspective on the country’s past by encouraging them to examine historical figures within the complexity of their time rather than judging them by modern standards. “In an era of rapid social change and political polarization, it’s more important than ever to understand where we’ve come from,” said James Cowan, an advisory council member of CIHE, in a press release . “This campaign reminds Canadians that history is not a tool for division, but a foundation for unity.” One of the historical figures often up for debate is Sir John A. Macdonald, Canada’s first prime minister, who was once widely celebrated as a nation-builder. Many cities have removed statues of Macdonald, and places bearing his name have been renamed. One notable example is the renaming of the Sir John A. Macdonald Parkway in Ottawa to Kichi Zibi Mikan in 2023, a decision driven by criticism of his Indigenous policies, including his key role in the creation and expansion of the residential school system. But this conversation isn’t just about one man. It’s about how Canada teaches, remembers, and understands its history. The campaign warns that Canadians’ lack of a shared understanding of their history is dangerous. “The removal of statues and renaming of institutions may feel symbolic, but these actions have profound implications for how future generations understand their country,” said Cowan. “This campaign isn’t about erasing history — it’s about reclaiming it with depth, context, and respect.” As part of the campaign, the CIHE is commissioning new historical research to explore the past of figures like Macdonald. The CIHE is also hosting expert-led events, producing educational content to counter misinformation, and working with educators and policymakers to teach children and teens more about Confederation and civic literacy in schools. “We shouldn’t just be judging historical figures by the values of our age. We have to understand the context in which they lived,” said Stephan Azzi, a professor of political management, history, and political science at Carleton University and a member of the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada. The debate around how we see historical figures is divisive for Canadians at a time when we need to be united, said Azzi. “People don’t like it when history changes. My mother is upset right now because the street that she grew up on has changed its name, and she feels like her history is being erased,” said Azzi. Azzi believes the decision to remove or preserve a statue requires thoughtful consideration. “There has to be a balanced assessment of a statue to determine whether it should stay up or not,” he said. “History isn’t black and white; people are complicated.” Mahatma Gandhi, a key leader in India’s non-violent fight for independence from British colonial rule, expressed racist views toward Black Africans. Frederick Douglass, a former slave who became an important voice in the abolitionist movement in the U.S, made some offensive remarks about Indigenous peoples. Just because they held problematic views doesn’t mean we should ignore all the good they did, said Azzi. A potential solution is to give more context to monuments and historical sites by adding plaques with explanatory text, said Azzi. “You include some text. You include a plaque that tells us a bit more about the individual, both the good and the bad. The more of the picture that we can provide, the better.” “I think historic sites and monuments are vitally important to understanding ourselves. We can’t understand Canada without understanding where it came from. We can’t understand our province or our community without understanding how it got here,” said Azzi.

• Historian offers measured defence of Sir John A. Macdonald
• Dundas, Ryerson and Macdonald schools to be renamed in Toronto: TDSB

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