In 1904, a new Governor General arrived in Rideau Hall. Albert Edward Grey, the 4th Earl of Grey, was a member of the British political elite; a grandfather had been one of the sponsors of the original Reform Bill, and his father a private secretary to Prince Albert.[1] Grey was a committed imperialist at the end of the Imperial age, and spent a good portion of his reign trying to promote the Empire to the people of Canada.[2] Grey was also a warm and cheerful man, and made a favourable impression on Canadians during his many tours of the country.

One of Grey’s most important pet projects was unity between French and English Canadians. One thing that Grey felt was especially important in this vein was the preservation of French Canadian history; to this end, he lobbied successfully for the preservation of the Plains of Abraham (which were purchased by a public fund he set up) and the walls of Quebec City.[3] Grey also did his best to improve the state of the country as a whole; the Prime Minister during his tenure, Sir Wilfrid Laurier, received a letter nearly every day Grey was in the country with ideas for its improvement.[4] Among these ideas were the Chateau Laurier, lectures on subjects within the Empire, adding the word Royal to the beginning of societies around Canada to “keep the monarchy in the eyes of the public”, and a massive colossus on the shores of Quebec (which never came to pass).[5] Within Ottawa itself, the National Gallery was one of his projects, as were various art and drama festivals he sponsored (the Grey Cup is perhaps his most famous legacy).[6]

Grey spent a good portion of his term travelling around the country, and effusively complimented every city he visited. Lake Ontario was the “Mediterranean of Canada” (as was, more improbably, Hudson’s Bay); Hamilton received a compliment on its “Bay of Naples”; Alberta and Saskatchewan, which he inaugurated, were declared to be key links between North America and Europe.[7] Indeed, he declared that “every province in turn had captured his heart”, and could rarely be found without a compliment on his lips. He exhorted Canadians to take pride in their winter, saying “it is mistaken tactics to be ashamed of your winter… pity those unfortunate countries which are not blessed with our winter sports and exhilerating[sic] winter weather.”[8] Other policy priorities of Grey included promoting relations between the United States and Canada, a goal which he furthered by paying many visits to the United States during his tenure.[9] As written in the Canadian Encyclopedia, “it was fortunate for Canada and Britain that in this difficult transition period in imperial relations a governor general of Grey’s energy and charm was associated with a prime Minister of Laurier’s strength and patience.”[10] Grey, despite his name, was among the warmest Governor Generals Canada had yet had.

Thirty years later, Ottawa would play host to a parade of royalty during the Second World War. Find out about these individuals and Lord Athlone, the Governor General of the time, in Part 4 of this series.

References:

1 Hubbard, R.H. Rideau Hall: An illustrated History of Government House, Ottawa, from Victorian times to the present day. Montreal: McGill-Queens University Press, 1977. 108.

2 The Canadian Encyclopedia. “Albert Grey, 4th Earl Grey.” Last modified July 2015.

http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/albert-grey-4th-earl-grey/

3 Hubbard, R.H. Rideau Hall: An illustrated History of Government House, Ottawa, from Victorian times to the present day. Montreal: McGill-Queens University Press, 1977. 114.

4 Hubbard, R.H. Rideau Hall: An illustrated History of Government House, Ottawa, from Victorian times to the present day. Montreal: McGill-Queens University Press, 1977. 109.

5 Hubbard, R.H. Rideau Hall: An illustrated History of Government House, Ottawa, from Victorian times to the present day. Montreal: McGill-Queens University Press, 1977. 109.

6 The Canadian Encyclopedia. “Albert Grey, 4th Earl Grey.” Last modified July 2015.

http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/albert-grey-4th-earl-grey/

7 Hubbard, R.H. Rideau Hall: An illustrated History of Government House, Ottawa, from Victorian times to the present day. Montreal: McGill-Queens University Press, 1977. 110.

8 Hubbard, R.H. Rideau Hall: An illustrated History of Government House, Ottawa, from Victorian times to the present day. Montreal: McGill-Queens University Press, 1977. 113.

9 The Canadian Encyclopedia. “Albert Grey, 4th Earl Grey.” Last modified July 2015.

http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/albert-grey-4th-earl-grey/

10 The Canadian Encyclopedia. “Albert Grey, 4th Earl Grey.” Last modified July 2015.

http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/albert-grey-4th-earl-grey/

All Images: Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.