Record of the Week: A Representative of the People

Toronto's municipal elections are coming up on Monday, and we thought we'd look to see what Toronto's mayors had written to Toronto's bishops. We found a nice letter to Bishop de Charbonnel from 15th mayor Sir Adam Wilson, who took office in 1859.

Toronto's first mayor, William Lyon Mackenzie, was appointed in 1834 when the city was incorporated. Wilson was Toronto's first mayor elected by popular vote. Prior to that, citizens in each ward voted for aldermen, who then chose a mayor from their group. From 1859 to 1867 and from 1874 onwards the public voted directly for the city leader.

Wilson served as alderman for St. Patrick's Ward from 1855. In his late 1858 election platform he advocated, among other points, "to oppose by all legitimate means the pernicious system of corruption and bribery which has prevailed so extensively at all our city elections," and to "strictly enforce the law which excludes all city contractors and other disqualified persons from the City Council." With newspaperman George Brown he spoke against previous governments who were influenced by the money of 'big business.' Wilson's letter to Bishop de Charbonnel expresses his hope to serve the people during his mayoral term:

"Toronto 11 Jany 1859

"My Lord

"I beg leave to thank you for the very kind & handsome manner in which you have congratulated me on my election to civic honours this year.

"At the outset of the contest it was expressly stipulated that there should be a united effort made to procure representatives who should admit the principle which has been so often overlooked here - of toleration & competition to all who were qualified without reference to party - and particularly without reference to creed - and I am rejoiced to say that the object we had so much at heart we have fully accomplished - and that now it may be truly said the council are the representatives of the people - the rest must necessarily follow, impartiality and protection to all alike -

"With great respect allow me to subscribe myself Your Lordship's very obedient servant,

Adam Wilson"

C AB15.03

Archbishop de Charbonnel Fonds

Wilson was proud that his council was "of the people." After he was declared mayor, he said, "[I acknowledge] the electors for the very large majority which they [have] given me." Voters in his time were male landholders, but a lot more people are eligible now. If you're one of them, make sure you get out there! It's the best way to make sure that the mayor and his council truly represent the citizens of the city.

To the Catholic Electors of South Ontario!

Once again Ontarians are being bombarded with messages from all sides about important issues in the upcoming provincial election. With the rise of different forms of media, campaigns have reached new heights of vying for our attention, and the constant noise can feel overwhelming. 

Here in the archives, we found that fervent lobbying efforts are nothing new. People of the past were just as passionate about the issues that affected them, and they wanted to make sure that the voters were on their side.

In the 1870s, one group didn't want anyone to vote for the incumbent Premier Oliver Mowat, who they claimed insulted Catholics:

To The Catholic Electors of South Ontario!

[1875]

LTA01.23
Archbishop Lynch Fonds

In 1934, the Catholic Taxpayers' Association wrote to the heads of colleges, convents, and hospitals to ask them to vote for the Liberal party because they believed the Conservative party was dominated by the Orange Order:

"Experience has shown that it is futile to depend upon the Conservative party, dominated, as it is just now by the Orange Order, and that we must pursue relentlessly our policy to vote against any Government that has failed in rendering justice to us."

June 13, 1934

MN AE11.07
Archbishop McNeil Fonds

Cardinal McGuigan sent word specifically to the people of Trinity riding asking them to vote to defeat the local Communist candidate:

"His Eminence the Cardinal has asked me to tell you that he wishes you to make a good announcement at the Masses on Sunday next urging the people who live in Trinity riding to exercise their franchise in the by-election..."

November 4, 1954

MG PO08.26a
Cardinal McGuigan Fonds

Archbishop McNeil saved a circular released by the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan of Canada that asked the electors of New Brunswick not to vote for Catholics, as they were considered 'Romans':

"Be not forgetful of that binding oath you took 'neath the Fiery Cross, wherein you swore to pledge your life, vote, and sacred honour, to protect the Constitutional rights and privileges of our Country and keep it free from all Foreign domination."

[1935]

MN AS12.89
Archbishop McNeil Fonds

Making sense of the rhetoric coming from all sides wasn't easy, but the Bishops of Toronto reminded Catholics that it was important to make their voices heard. Pastors were instructed not to publicly take a particular side, but to encourage their parishioners to take advantage of their right to vote. 

"Catholics your religion and the religious education of your children are both attacked. You are bound in conscience to protect both. The battle is to [be] fought at the polls. Those who do not go, fail in their duty to themselves and their children."

December 22, 1886

L AA13.17
Archbishop Lynch Fonds

"People who have the right to vote should vote, and vote conscientiously. It is not a matter to be treated lightly."

[1934]

MN AS12.90
Archbishop McNeil Fonds

The Church continues to encourage Catholics to learn about the issues and participate in our democracy. To help make sense of what the candidates are saying, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Toronto has released a 2018 Ontario Election Guide, as well as a list of questions to ask. Check them out, and stand up on June 7 to make your voice heard!

Record of the Week: Battle at the Polls

Monday is Election Day in Canada!

Past archbishops have involved themselves in politics to varying degrees. Archbishop John Lynch was often thrust into the public limelight when it came to furthering the well-being of his Church and fellow Irish Catholics. His episcopacy (1860-1888) saw the Confederation of Canada, as well as growing tensions between Catholics and Protestants.

Voter turnout during the 1880s was steady at just over 70%.  The 2011 federal election had a turnout of 61.4%, which followed an all-time low of 58.8% in 2008.

Then and now, bishops have been consistent in compelling the faithful to vote. Concerning the 1886
provincial election, Archbishop Lynch told Catholics, "The battle is to [be] fought at the polls. - Those who do not go, fail in their duty to themselves and their children."

Similarly, the 2015 Federal Election Guide, published by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, urges that "Canadian Catholics are being called upon as citizens to exercise their right to vote."

Voting is a right and responsibility, so do your duty on Monday!

Archbishop Lynch fonds, LAA13.17

A statement by Archbishop Lynch to be read in parishes on Christmas Day, leading up to the 1886 provincial election:
"Catholics your religion and religious education of your children are both attacked.  You are bound in conscience to protect both. The battle is to [be] fought at the polls. -  Those who do not go, fail in their duty to themselves and their children."

Who Are You Voting For?

The Canadian Federal Election will be held next month on October 19th, and there will be new Members of Parliament in many ridings across the country. Here in the archives, we have correspondence with many MPs, but we were curious to see how many Prime Ministers' signatures we could find. Out of the 22 who have held the job, we were able to find 16. Not too shabby!

In order of appearance, we have:

1. Sir John A. Macdonald 1867 - 1873, 1878 - 1891
L AF02.31
1884

2. Alexander Mackenzie 1873 - 1878
L AE12.54
1876

4. Sir John Thompson 1892 - 1894
L AE12.131
1887

7. Sir Wilfrid Laurier 1896 - 1911
ME AE01.20
1909

9. Arthur Meighen 1920 - 1921, 1926
MN AH10.16
1921

10. William Lyon Mackenzie King 1921 - 1926, 1926 - 1930, 1935 - 1948
MG SU03.13
1937

11. R.B. Bennett 1930 - 1935
MN TA01.117
1933

12. Louis St. Laurent 1948 - 1957
MG DS50.64
1948

13. John Diefenbaker 1957 - 1963
MG PO06 54
1957

14. Lester B. Pearson 1963 - 1968
MG PO06.116
1963

15. Pierre Trudeau 1968 - 1979, 1980 - 1984
Papers of Cardinal Carter
1983

16. Joe Clark 1979 - 1980
Papers of Cardinal Carter

17. John Turner 1984
Papers of Cardinal Ambrozic

18. Brian Mulroney 1984 - 1993
Papers of Cardinal Carter

20. Jean Chrétien 1993 - 2003
Papers of Cardinal Ambrozic

21. Paul Martin 2003 - 2006
Papers of Cardinal Ambrozic

Stephen Harper's signature is probably somewhere in the building, but not yet in the archives!

Click here to read the Canadian Bishops' guide to voting in the upcoming election, and click here for information about voter registration. Don't forget to make your voice heard!