The Government of Canada Recognizes the National Historic Importance of Captain John MacDonald of Glenaladale
News Release
July 28, 2017 Scotchfort, Prince Edward Island Parks Canada Agency
Canada’s national parks, historic sites and marine conservation areas enable Canadians to experience their rich and varied history in a special way. To celebrate the 150th anniversary of Confederation in 2017, the Government of Canada invites Canadians to experience nature and learn more about our history.
Sean Casey, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Member of Parliament for Charlottetown, on behalf of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, Catherine McKenna, today commemorated the importance of Captain John MacDonald of Glenaladale, as a person of National Historic Significance. A special ceremony was held in Scotchfort (Scotsfort), Prince Edward Island, with members of the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada.
The Government of Canada is committed to connecting Canadians to the significant people, places, and events that contributed to our country’s diverse heritage. John MacDonald, a Scottish noble, played a lead role in encouraging Scottish settlement in Prince Edward Island and left exceptional written records of this early period in the history of the province. He was responsible for recruiting, transporting, and ensuring the necessities for settlement for the largest number of settlers to arrive in Prince Edward Island in its early years as a British colony. MacDonald`s tenure as a proprietor is a remarkable example of the struggles between the landowning class and the colonial authorities.
Canada’s national parks and historic sites 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.
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 free admission 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 Captain John MacDonald of Glenaladale, as an important figure in the early settlement of Scottish Catholics in Prince Edward Island. As we celebrate the 150th anniversary of Confederation, I encourage all Canadians to take this opportunity to learn more about this great person and his important role in our country's history.”
Sean Casey,
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Member of Parliament for Charlottetown
Quick Facts
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In 1772, John MacDonald founded the first settlement of Scottish Catholics on Prince Edward Island (then Saint John’s Island) when he purchased Lot 36 (8,000 ha or 20,000 acres).
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Lot 36 includes Blooming Point, Tracadie, Scotchfort, Fort Augustus, and Auburn.
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In 1780, when lands were seized by the colonial government and secretly sold, MacDonald led a long, tenacious campaign for proprietor’s rights through his campaigns in print, correspondence, and personal meetings with authorities.
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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
Madelyn Deveau
Public Relations and Communications Officer
|Prince Edward Island Field Unit
Parks Canada
Madelyn.deveau@pc.gc.ca
902-672-6384
Media Relations
Parks Canada Agency
855-862-1812
pc.media@pc.gc.ca