National historic designations recall moments of greatness and triumph or cause us to contemplate the complex and challenging moments that helped define the Canada of today. By sharing these stories with Canadians, we hope to foster better understanding and open discussions on the histories, cultures, and realities of Canada's history.
Today, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, announced the designation of Jos Montferrand as a person of national historic significance under Parks Canada's National Program of Historical Commemoration.
Montferrand was a 19th-century French Canadian folk hero, whose exploits were embellished during his lifetime. He worked as a foreman and master raftsman in the lumber industry of the Ottawa Valley. Part of the national narrative of French Canadians, the legend of Montferrand describes his physical strength and courage, his altruism, and his role as protector of French Canadians.
Over the years, all manner of media, including plays, novels, and songs, elevated him from popular tradition to legendary status. Montferrand lives on in the imagination of Canadians. He was known as 'Joe Mufraw' in the United States, where the legend of Montferrand was popularized as French Canadian loggers travelled across North America. He also exemplifies the masculine culture that prevailed in the working-class world of the 19th century, the characteristics of which can be directly linked to working conditions.
The Government of Canada, through the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada, and Parks Canada, recognizes significant persons, places, and events that have shaped our country as one way of helping Canadians connect with their past. By sharing these stories with Canadians, we hope to foster understanding of and reflection on the diverse histories, cultures, legacies, and realities of Canada's past and present.
