Samuel de Champlain (ca. 1567–1635) explorer, businessman
Samuel de Champlain was the principal founder of New France and the first European explorer of much of modern Quebec and Ontario.
View ArticleJean-Baptiste Colbert (1619–1683) statesman
Jean-Baptiste Colbert was a member of the Great Council of State and the French king Louis XIV’s intendant de finance (superintendant of finance).
View ArticleEllen Louks Fairclough (1905–2004) politician
Ellen Louks Fairclough, Canada’s first woman federal cabinet minister, presided over a major overhaul of the country’s longstanding “white Canada” immigration policy.
View ArticleFrederick Haldimand (1718–1791) political leader
As governor of Quebec (1778–84), Sir Frederick Haldimand was most responsible for the resettlement of British Loyalists following the American Revolution (1775–83) (see Canada—immigration survey and...
View ArticleWilliam Lyon Mackenzie King (1874–1950) politician
As prime minister during World War II (1939–45; see World War II and immigration), King largely reflected Canadian ethnic attitudes toward immigrants.
View ArticleClifford Sifton (1861–1929) politician
As minister of the interior and superintendent general of Indian affairs (1896–1905), Clifford Sifton planned and presided over the most successful public campaign to attract settlers in Canadian history.
View ArticleJohn Graves Simcoe (1752–1806) government official
John Graves Simcoe was the first lieutenant governor of Upper Canada (1792–96) and was responsible for crafting a policy that encouraged extensive immigration into the newly formed province.
View ArticleJean Talon (1626–1694) government official
As intendant of the colonial territory of New France, Jean Talon vigorously implemented France’s new policy of colonial mercantilism.
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