Prime Minister Stephen J. Harper, joined by Kim Campbell and John Turner, were amongst hundreds who filled Kingston City Hall to mark the 200^th anniversary of the birth of Macdonald of Kingston.

"Never forget, there was nothing certain or inevitable about what Macdonald and his fellow fathers of Confederation accomplished. It was in fact remarkable," Prime Minister Harper told his Kingston audience. “Without Sir. John A. Macdonald, Canada as we know it — the best country in the world — simply would not exist… let us always remember that so much of it was made possible by an ordinary man of whom little was expected but who, given the opportunity, did extraordinary things. That, in my mind, is really what this country is all about, like none other in the world: A country where what you've done and where you're going always matter more than where you're from or who you know."

Kim Campbell also praised her illustrious predecessor who held office as PM for a remarkable 19 years. "We've built a society with the rule of law and with respect and protection for people that enables us to be resilient,” she said. “And it started with Sir John A. Macdonald at Confederation… The fact of the matter is he really did have a vision and he followed it up. The building of the railway, the creation of the Northwest Mounted Police so that there would be law and order on our side of the border in the West. On the American side it was a no-man's land and the rule of the gun."

For me personally it was a very big day as I was tasked with serving as MC of the Kingston ceremony. And, Kim Campbell honoured Alison and I by dropping by our house to plant her tree in my famous garden.

You can watch the entire Kingston Macdonald @ 200 ceremony at this link.