January 11, 2012  -- Prime Minister Stephen Harper today issued the following statement on the occasion of Sir John A. Macdonald Day: 

“Today, Canadians remember and celebrate Sir John A. Macdonald, one of the founding fathers of Confederation, and our country’s first Prime Minister. 

“A gifted orator, Sir John A. Macdonald brought a wealth of experience to federal politics, in part through his career as a lawyer and city alderman. 

“As a politician, he helped unify our country in an unprecedented way. He was among the first to encourage the union of the provinces now known as Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Ontario and Quebec, and as a result, he contributed to shaping our great country. Sir John A. Macdonald is also remembered for his dedication to enlarging Canada's boundaries from coast to coast to coast, and pushing for the establishment of the Canadian Pacific Railway. 

“To this day, Sir John A. Macdonald remains one of Canada’s most important political figures of all time.  His accomplishments are cemented in our country’s history, and he leaves a legacy of patriotism and dedication to the Canada we know and cherish today.”