The Government of Canada Recognizes the National Historic Importance of Sir William Maxwell Aitken
News Release
June 23, 2017 Miramichi, New Brunswick Parks Canada Agency
Canada’s national historic sites, national parks and national marine conservation areas enable Canadians to experience their rich and varied history in a special way and will play a big part in the celebration of Canada 150. To celebrate the 150th anniversary of Confederation in 2017, the Government of Canada invites Canadians to experience nature and learn more about our history.
Today, Pat Finnigan, Member of Parliament for Miramichi – Grand Lake, on behalf of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, Catherine McKenna, commemorated the national historic significance of Sir William Maxwell Aitken. A special ceremony was held at the historic Beaverbrook House in Miramichi, the childhood home of Max Aitken. The unveiling coincided with the season opening of the Beaverbrook House.
The Government of Canada is committed to connecting Canadians to the significant events that contributed to our country’s rich history and heritage. Sir William Maxwell Aitken established himself in Canada as a leading, and at times, controversial Canadian financier in the early 20th century. During the First World War, Aitken, also known as Lord Beaverbrook, had considerable impact on how the Canadian war effort was perceived and helped shape its remembrance through the legacy of the war art program. Following the war, he turned his attention to newspapers and became one of the era’s leading press barons in Britain. As Britain’s Minister of Aircraft Production during the Second World War, Lord Beaverbrook drove the manufacture of the Spitfire planes, which were key to winning the Battle of Britain.
As part of the centennial of national historic sites, Parks Canada invites Canadians to be inspired and captivated by the stories of the people, places, and events that shaped the Canada of today. Take advantage of the free entry to the national historic sites in 2017, and discover truly Canadian places and stories with Parks Canada!
Quotes
“The Government of Canada is very pleased to commemorate Sir William Maxwell Aitken, a prominent, though contentious financier and press baron in the 20th century who not only influenced the perception of the Canadian war effort during the First World War, but also left a poignant, visual legacy of war art through the creation of the Canadian War Memorials Fund. We encourage Canadians to take the opportunity to learn more about this key figure and the significant role he played in our country’s history.”
Pat Finnigan,
Member of Parliament for Miramichi – Grand Lake
Quick Facts
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Born in 1879, Aitken spent his youth in New Brunswick, before becoming a leading Canadian businessman in the early years of the 20th century. He moved to London, England in 1910 with his growing family, where he quickly entered politics.
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He was appointed to British Prime Minister Winston Churchill’s war cabinet, and was one of the few men to serve on the war cabinet during both of the world wars.
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Lord Beaverbrook, as he was known in later years, was also a leading benefactor to the University of New Brunswick and the founder and the sponsor of the Beaverbrook Art Gallery.
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Created in 1919, the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada advises the Minister of Environment and Climate Change regarding the national historic significance of places, people, and events that have marked Canada’s history
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Contacts
Mathieu Brossard
External Relations Manager
Northern New Brunswick Field Unit
Parks Canada
mathieu.brossard@pc.gc.ca
819-639-3916
Media Relations
Parks Canada Agency
855-862-1812
pc.media@pc.gc.ca
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