The future of Canada is at stake, invaders have crossed the border and the boss is passed out in a hotel room surrounded by empty bottles.
That story about the time John A. Macdonald went on a bender, when he was supposed to be dealing with an invasion, is one of the surprising tidbits spectators will hear during The Road to Confederation.
From storyteller and historian Doug Robinson, it’s a “tongue-in-cheek” look at the lesser-known and “deeply personal” tales of the main players involved in making Canada a country.
The Essex Municipal Heritage Committee and the Harrow Early Immigrant Research Society are presenting the night of storytelling. It’s part of celebrations for Canada’s 150th anniversary and Colchester’s 225th.
Robinson promises scandals, romance and drunks in the legislature.
“This is definitely not a lecture,” he said.
One story he’ll tell concerns the Fenian Raids, when Irish-born veterans of the U.S. Civil War started launching attacks in Canada. Macdonald — who was the minister of the United Province of Canada and the defence minister, as well as a drunk — went to Niagara to deal with it. He wasn’t heard from for weeks.
“Here’s the leader of the province, there’s a chance of a war coming, we’ve got these foreign nationals trying to shoot up our shores, and our boss is gone,” said Robinson.
A messenger was dispatched and found him in a hotel room.
Along with getting stinking drunk, Robinson said Macdonald had also been working on proposals to push through Confederation. He seemed unconcerned about the invasions.
Robinson will spin his historical yarns starting at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 26 at the Harrow and Colchester South Community Centre at 243 McAffee Street in Harrow. Admission is free.