Speeches That Changed Canada

In this new book, former MP Dennis Gruending focuses on speeches by 11 of Canada’s finest political orators. This book will be a welcome companion to anyone interested in Canadian history, politics, literature and rhetoric. It will also be a useful source and guide for those who write speeches or deliver them.

Gruending deals with one speech in each of the 11 chapters:

Describing in detail the rich historical context in which each speech was delivered;

Paying close attention to both the content of each speech and rhetorical techniques employed by the orators; and
Examining the speech’s immediate and long term impact upon Canada and Canadians.

The book begins with John A Macdonald’s arguing on behalf of Confederation in 1865 and ends with chief Joseph Gosnell’s powerful address in support of the Nisga'a treaty in 1998. The book also contains: Louis Riel’s speech to the jury; Wilfrid Laurier’s warning the Catholic clergy to stay out of politics; Nellie McClung’s demand that women receive the vote; Agnes Macphail’s call for both political reforms and the full equality of women; Arthur Meighen’s divisive speech on military conscription; Richard Bennett’s attempt to give Canada a New Deal during the Depression; Tommy Douglas introducing Medicare; Lester Pearson’s epic debates with John Diefenbaker over a new flag for Canada, and Pierre Trudeau’s No to sovereignty association in the 1980 Quebec referendum.