Internationally acclaimed media pioneer honoured with commemorative plaque at special ceremony
Toronto, Ontario, October 14, 2011 -- The Honourable Joe Oliver, Minister of Natural Resources and Member of Parliament for Eglinton-Lawrence, on behalf of the Honourable Peter Kent, Canada’s Environment Minister and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, today commemorated the importance of Marshall McLuhan, a person of national historic significance. A special ceremony was held in Toronto at St. Michael’s College, where McLuhan once taught. Accompanied by the Chair of the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada, Dr. Richard Alway, Minister Oliver unveiled a commemorative plaque dedicated to the former University of Toronto professor.
“Marshall McLuhan made a lasting and global contribution to our understanding of the media,” said Minister Oliver. “We are very proud to celebrate the legacy of the man who foresaw the coming of the global village, and was one of Canada’s most significant and influential thinkers.”
A pioneer in media analysis, Marshall McLuhan provided the world with new insights and tools to help make sense of the electronic age. He challenged people to think about the impact of the media on human perception and behaviour. As a result, his major works dealt with the strategies of advertising, the influence of print culture, and the effects of 20th-century media, including radio and television. In the 1960s, he became known around the world for concepts such as “the global village” and “the medium is the message.” McLuhan died in 1980 but his work remains at the heart of discussions on the important question of the influence of media on modern life.
“A brilliant academic, Marshall McLuhan was decades ahead of his time,” said Minister Kent. “McLuhan was the pivotal driving force behind media analysis. He influenced many across the world and it is of little surprise that much of his work is still relevant today.”
Created in 1919, and supported by Parks Canada, the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada advises the government of Canada through the Minister of Environment regarding the national historic significance of places, persons and events that have marked Canada’s history. Parks Canada manages a nationwide network of national historic sites that make up a rich tapestry of Canada’s cultural heritage and which offers visitors the opportunity for real and inspiring discoveries.
For additional information, please see the accompanying backgrounder at www.parkscanada.gc.ca under Media Room.
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Information:
Amandeep S. Chawla
Promotions Officer
Southwestern Ontario Field Unit
Parks Canada
905-518-6585
www.twitter.com/parkscanada
