Kingston pub dropping reference to John A. Macdonald from its name

Fortier said the concept was successful — “lots of people interested in local history and Canadian history come by to pay homage to Canada’s first prime minister” — but sentiments started to change last year, when Macdonald’s role in establishing the country’s residential school program came under heightened scrutiny.

In August, the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario called for the removal of Macdonald’s name from elementary schools in the province, referring to him as the “architect of genocide against Indigenous Peoples.” That call was rejected by Ontario’s premier, who noted the need to understand all parts of the country’s history.

The following month, a group of people protested outside Fortier’s restaurant.

“Some of our customers and some of the native organizations in the Kingston area said that they could no longer do business with us. They said that it was no longer a safe place for them, and that the name ‘Sir John’s’ just brought back too many unhappy memories for their communities,” Fortier said.

After much consideration, Fortier said he and a group of managers decided to change the pub’s name.

“The name that we selected was just a truncated version of the original,” he said.

Fortier noted, however, that there will still be exhibits and memorabilia related to the prime minister in the pub.

“We can’t deny the fact that John A. Macdonald occupied this building from 1849 to 1860. That’s a historical fact. I can’t erase that,” he said. “I hope these communities will recognize that in the spirit of reconciliation, we are taking action to make them feel more welcome than they would otherwise have felt.”

Nicole Thompson , The Canadian Press

by Canadian Press

Kingston pub dropping reference to John A. Macdonald from its name

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