War of 1812

The war of 1812 was a military conflict between the Americans and the British. Around that time, most of North America was ruled by Great Britain. The Britans were already in war with other countries like France, leaving a shortage in their army.  With the help from First Nations, the Britans had fought a brutal war with the Americans. At the time, America’s goal was to gain their independance. Though we’re not certain on who one this impactful war, we are sure that Canada would not be what it is today if it weren't for this historical event.

Jacque Plante

Jacque Plante was a Canadian ice hockey goaltender. He was born on January 17, 1992. He played for Edmonton Oilers, NHL, New York Rangers, St. Louis Blues, Toronto Maple Leafs, Boston Bruins, World Hockey Association and the Montreal Canadiens. He also made history by planting the seeds for the first hockey face mask. The idea was triggered when he first got hit by a puck while serving as a goaltender. He refused to go back in the game unless he was aloud to wear a mask. He also won 2 awards the Venzia Trophy and Hart Memorial Trophy.

Sir Isaac Brock

Isaac Brock - leader of the Canadian forces during the war of 1812 against the US. Normally finishes higher then this in lists, but I don't really consider him a Canadian, as he was a British officer, protecting the interest of Britain. However, his actions helped secure our future.

Guido Basso

Guido Basso was born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. He was a famous jazz musician. He was a trumpeter, flugelhornist, harmonica- player, arranger, composer and conductor. In the year 2003 he won a Juno award for “Traditional Jazz Album Of the Year” for Turn Out the Stars. In 2004 he won another Juno award for “Traditional Jazz Album Of the year” for Lost in The Stars.

Helmut Lucas

Helmet Lucas was a Canadian man who created the prosthetic electric hand in 1971. The prosthetic hand is an electric hand that detects signals from the nerves or muscle system and does as instructed. He was a hero to many who were living without a hand. Helmet Lucas let those without hands find a way to fix something they may not have been born with.

Craig Keilburger

Craig Kielburger was born December 17, 1982) is a Canadian author, columnist, social entrepreneur, and activist for the rights of children. He is the co-founder, with his brother Marc Kielburger, of the Free the Children, an international development and youth empowerment organization; Me to We, a social enterprise, and We Day, an annual youth empowerment event. On April 11, 2008, he was named a Member of the Order of Canada by the Governor General of Canada.

Alessia Cara

Alessia Caracciolo is a Canadian singer and songwriter. She was born on July 11, 1996 in Brampton. After graduating from high school Alessia decided to explore music because it was her true passion. She uploaded her singing on Youtube and even signed a major-labeled recording contract with Def Jam. Her first single was created with a trio of songwriters & producers who had already created many R&B and pop songs. She co-wrote and recorded bits of her number one hit “Here”. The song was then released on May 15 and streamed by millions.

Avril Lavigne

Avril Lavigne is a Canadian singer/songwriter and actress. She was born on September 27, 1984 in Belleville, Ontario, Canada. At a very young age she began singing in church. In the year 2002 she released an album Let Go after signing a deal with Arista Records in 2000. This record sold over 15 million copies around the world. Her latest Album called Avril Lavigne was sold in 2013. She is a very talented singer! Thanks for your contributions!

Jim Treliving

Jim Treliving is a Canadian businessman, venture capitalist. He was born on May 2nd 1941, he is currently 75 years old, and is working with many entrepreneurs and companies. He was an investor on the show “Dragons Den,” he is also the founder of Boston Pizza, and is associated with the company Mr. Lube. He has made an impact on Canada because he has donated a lot of his money to charity. Also, he has made a lot of companies what they are today by investing in them. Thanks for your contributions!

Bret Hart

Bret Hart is a writer, actor and a retired wrestler. He was one of the greatest wrestlers in the WWE. He is also an inspiration to many people around the world. He traveled around the world for two decades as World Champion of wrestling organizations and helping sick children by meeting them face to face. He lived up to being a role model to millions of kids and a wrestling sensation.  Thanks for your contributions!

William Avery (Billy) Bishop Jr.

William Avery (Billy) Bishop Jr. was a Canadian man who committed his life to aviation. He was Canada's top succeeded flier during the First World War, for that he was credited with 72 victories. During the second world war he had helped recruit for the Royal Canadian Air Force & also helped advocate the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. Hence the Billy Bishop Airport! Thank you for your contributions!

Sir George-Etienne Cartier

Sir George-Etienne Cartier was a very followed and influential Canadian politician. He entered the field of politics in the year 1848. Working together with John A. Macdonald he was the co- premier of the Province of Canada.  He actively took part in conferences which took place in  Charlottetown, Quebec and London.  Thanks for your contributions!

Jim Carrey

Jim Carrey was born in Newmarket, Ontario, Canada. He is a Canadian-American actor, comedian, impressionist, screenwriter, producer and an inspiration to many. Jim moved out to Los Angeles for his career where he got an opportunity on the sketch comedy show ‘In Living Color’. He went on to huge box office success in comedies such as Ace Ventura: Pet Detective and The Mask and delivered dramatic performances in The Truman Show and Man on the Moon.

Penny Oleksiak

Penny Oleksiak a 16 year old 4 time Olympic medalist that made her debut in Rio 2016. She is the first canadian athlete to win 4 medals at a single summer games. Penny is also Canada’s youngest Canadian Olympic gold medalist ever. At 15, Penny won 16 medals at the 2015 FINA World Junior Champions.

Tecumseh

Tecumseh was an important figure in the War of 1812 because he had vision for the Natives, he wanted justice and he wanted to defend his country He said: No tribe has the right to sell, even to each other, much less to strangers... Sell a country! Why not sell the air, the great sea, as well as the earth? Didn't the Great Spirit make them all for the use of his children? The way, the only way to stop this evil is for the red man to unite in claiming a common and equal right in the land, as it was first, and should be now, for it was never divided. We gave them forest-clad mountains and valleys full of game, and in return what did they give our warriors and our women? Rum, trinkets, and a grave.Thank you for your contributions!

Tim Horton

Miles Gilbert "Tim" Horton (January 12, 1930 – February 21, 1974) was a Canadian professional ice hockey player, a defenceman for 24 seasons in the National Hockey League. He played for the Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Buffalo Sabres. Also a successful businessman, Horton was a co-founder of the Tim Hortons restaurant chain. Thank you for your contributions!

John McCrae

On July 1st 2017, Canada will be celebrating its 150th birthday. Today we are going to share with you the contributions of one of the most important people in Canadian history! John McCrae, soldier, physician, poet (born 30 November 1872 in Guelph, ON; died 28 January 1918 in Wimereux, France). A noted pathologist and army physician, Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae was also a poet; he wrote “In Flanders Fields” — one of the most famous poems of the First World War.

In honour of Remembrance Day, we are also going to be sharing one of the most important events in Canadian history. This was a battle that took place in the First World War and it went through April 9th-April 11th in 1917.The Battle of Vimy Ridge was a military engagement fought primarily as part of the Battle of Arras, in the region of France. Many historians and writers consider the Canadian victory at Vimy a defining moment for Canada, when the country emerged from under the shadow of Britain and felt capable of greatness. Canadian troops also earned a reputation as formidable, effective troops because of the stunning success. But it was a victory at a terrible cost, with more than 10,000 killed and wounded.

Pierre Elliott Trudeau

Pierre Elliott Trudeau was the Canadian prime minister for 16 years and was a true influence on Canada. Born in Montreal on October 18, 1919, Pierre Trudeau was the 15th prime minister of Canada for nearly 16 years. His charismatic personality matched the revolutionary ideas of the 1960s. In additional to several advances he made for the Liberal Party, he gained a reputation for dating high-profile women. His 1982 partition of the Canadian constitution greatly advanced Canadians’ civil rights'

Lily Singh

Lilly Singh is an inspirational Youtuber that is part of action to allow girls in Kenya to go to school. She is selling girl love bracelets to raise money for the girls in Kenya. She also has a company called “Girl Love.” She is partnered with Me to We and they are working together to help educate girls in Kenya. Lilly also has 10 million subscribers on Youtube, where she promotes girl love through comedy.

Sir William Stephenson

Sir William Stephenson - the world's most famous spy, code name Intrepid, and Winston Churchill's top spy during WWII. Many people consider him to be one of the real-life inspirations for James Bond. Ian Fleming himself once wrote, "James Bond is a highly romanticized version of a true spy. The real thing is ... William Stephenson." As head of the British Security Coordination, Stephenson handed over British scientific secrets to Franklin D. Roosevelt and relayed American secrets to Winston Churchill.Thank you for your contributions!

The Hudson’s Bay Company

The Hudson’s Bay Company was originated by the Fur Trade and a pair of resourceful Frenchmen named Radisson and des Groseilliers discovered a wealth of fur in the interior of the continent – north and west of the Great Lakes – accessible via the great inland sea that is Hudson Bay. These are the founders of the Hudson’s Bay Company and that is how this company was founded! Thank you for your contributions!

Alexander Graham Bell

Today we are going to share with you the contributions of one of the most important people in Canadian history! Alexander Graham Bell - invented the telephone, we all know that. He wasn’t really known as a true "Canadian", but more of a British subject who was living here although he was very important. Without his invention our world would be totally different. If it wasn't for the telephone we would not have been able to create the internet. Not only did he invent the telephone but he was the second vice president of National Geographic. Did you know his first invention came when he was just 12 years old? He was involved in many inventions that are still used today. Thank you for contributing to Canada's identity.

Margaret Atwood

Margaret Atwood was born in 1939 in Ottawa, and grew up in northern Ontario and Quebec, and in Toronto. She received her undergraduate degree from Victoria College at the University of Toronto and her master’s degree from Radcliffe College. Margaret Atwood is the author of more than forty books of fiction, poetry, and critical essays and she is the writer of many amazing books! You can look in the learning commons for her books.  Thank you for your contributions!

James Naismith

James Naismith was a Canadian physical educator, physician, sports coach and inventor. In 1891, he invented the sport basketball. He made the first rule book and established the sport at the University of Kansas.  Today, basketball is one of the most popular sports in the world and we are proud to say that the Toronto Raptors kick off their 21st season tonight.  Good luck to the Raptors and hank you Dr. James Naismith for your contributions!