UW conference on Mackenzie King timely as unity issue reemerges
WATERLOO, Ont. -- As the millennium approaches, the Canadian unity issue is again in the news as it was years ago.
"William Lyon Mackenzie King was determined to maintain harmony between English-speaking and French-speaking Canadians, and is remembered for strengthening the unity between them," says University of Waterloo history Prof. Geoffrey Hayes.
The UW history department will commemorate the 125th anniversary of the birth of King on Friday and Saturday (Dec. 17-18) at a two-day symposium called Mackenzie King's Canada. It is co-sponsored by the K-W Multicultural Centre and Woodside National Historic Site.
"Not only will the conference examine the impact of King on Waterloo County, and Waterloo County on King, but explore King as a wartime leader, King and the 'Oriental question,' and King and the welfare state," Hayes said.
Whereas many politicians faded into the shadows of Canadian history, King still stands out for shaping the political and social landscape of Canada.
King first took office as prime minister in 1921, serving longer than any other Canadian leader. He held office from 1921-26, from 1926-30, and from 1935-48. He was also the leader of the Liberal Party of Canada for 29 years.
Born in Berlin (now Kitchener) on Dec. 17, 1874, he was the first son of John King and Isabel Grace Mackenzie King.
A tour of King's boyhood home will be held before the conference opening. With its picture-book setting, the warmth of Woodside can be felt on Thursday (Dec. 16) from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. King was about eight years old when the family moved to the large house on the outskirts of town.
Among the speakers sharing their perspective on King are Sheila Copps, Minister of Canadian Heritage, and journalist Charlotte Gray, who is a regular commentator on political events for television and radio.
Besides the lectures, there will be an unveiling of a restored portrait of King in the Rotunda at Kitchener City Hall on Friday at 5 p.m. As well, a guided walking tour of downtown Kitchener -- King's Berlin -- will be held on Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to noon by the Waterloo Historical Society. Walkers should meet at Speaker's Corner (King and Benton Streets).
"We are not just catering to academics with this conference. We want to bring people on campus who would not otherwise come here," Hayes said.
Conference Highlights
Dec. 17, 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., St. Jerome's University
(10 a.m. - noon)
Introduction: Michael Higgins, president, St. Jerome's University
Speaker: Sheila Copps, Minister of Canadian Heritage
Appreciation: Andrew Telegdi, MP
• King, Canadian Heritage and Cultural Institutions
Chair: Susan Bellingham, Head of Special Collections, UW Library.
Speaker: Ian Wilson, National Archivist, Ottawa
Comment: Robert Bothwell, University of Toronto
• Luncheon (Noon - 2 p.m.)
Introduction: Jim Kalbfleisch, vice-president, UW
Speaker: Charlotte Gray, author, Mrs. King: The Life and Times of Isabel Mackenzie King
Appreciation: Kim Seward-Hannam, Woodside National Historic Site
• King and His Community (2 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.)
Chair: Ken McLaughin, professor of history, St. Jerome's University
Speakers:rych mills, "Mackenzie King and Victoria Park"
Ulrich Frisse, University of Marburg "King and the Germans"
Geoffrey Hayes, professor of history, UW, "Mackenzie King and Waterloo County."
Comment: Susan Hoffman, Kitchener Public Library
Dec. 18, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., St. Jerome's University
9 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.
• Citizenship and Community
Chair: Jim Walker, professor of history, UW
Speakers: Jim Struthers, Trent University, "Unequal Citizenship: The Residential Legacy Within the Welfare State"
Whitney Lackenbauer, University of Calgary, "King and Sovereignty"
Stephanie Bangarth, graduate student, UW, "William Lyon Mackenzie King, the 'Oriental Question,' and the Decision to Intern the Japanese Canadians: 1900-1942"
Ken Westhues, professor of sociology, UW, "King and Sociology"
Comment: Penny Bryden, Mount Allison University
Noon
• Luncheon
Film: King and the Royal Tour, 1939
Introduction: Wendy Mitchinson, professor of history, UW
1 p.m. - 3 p.m.
• King and the West
Chair: Heather McDougall, Associate Dean, Faculty of Arts, UW
Speakers: Bill Waiser, University of Saskatchewan, "King and Chaos: The Liberals and The 1935 Regina Riot"
Robert Wardhaugh, University of Winnipeg, "Balancing Both Sides of the Ledger: Mackenzie King and J.W. Dafoe
Galen Perras, Bishops University, "No Need to Send an Army Across the Pacific: Mackenzie King and the Use of Canadian Military Forces in the Pacific War, 1939-45"
Comment: Norman Hillmer, Carleton University
A detailed schedule of events is available at http://arts.uwaterloo.ca/HIST/cfpf/agenda.htm
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Written by Mary-Lou Schagena for the UW News Bureau
Media Contact: Lena Yost, 888-4567, ext. 2765 or E-mail cfpf@watarts.uwaterloo.ca
UW Release no. 229 -- December 15, 1999