shitty old racist removed from money

yup

I'm just not seeing the value in injecting our current cultural values into the past. Doing so obscures the cultural context and therefore the rational actions that were taken at the time. And we move from understanding history instead to tugging our dicks at our self-perceived moral superiority.

I'm not sure why you're placing so much emphasis on the Constitution Act 1982. It was only another stepping stone in the eventual granting of political independence from the UK. We likely could have gained those powers sooner if the provinces could ever agree on anything. Pierre Trudeau was just ballsy enough to push forward with it without Quebec's approval. I'm sure he'll get his spot on a bill someday despite the strong objections of western Canadians.

Yeah Brant was hugely influential on southern Ontario and doesn't receive near enough credit for his accomplishments. Oddly enough he was able to become such a skilled and valued negotiator as a result of his white education. Guess the difference was that he mostly had a choice in the matter.

Correct. Cartier was instrumental in getting Quebec on-board with confederation and was one of it's architects.

The thread title threw me....I figured Space turkey mugged somebody.

How does reviewng the past through contemporary values obscure the cultural context of "being a shitty racist" was okay back then, let alone rationalize/forgive some fairly atrocious actions? Understanding our history requires reevaluating how we view the people that made it.

I'm not placing emphasis on the Constitution Act. I'm suggesting that it's at least equally relevant as the BNA historically, and miles more than that to contemporary Canada, thus a reasonable comparison to sir john a... but I already stated that earlier. Also again, why not Pearson? Why a PM at all?

na...
I'm a dope fiend, a bootlegger, and occasional thug... but never a thief.