Reporter: Mr. Pratte, in your opinion has Wilfrid Laurier’s political heritage survived in Quebec’s collective memory?
André Pratte: No, not at all!
Surveys conducted on the issue initially showed that Laurier is not well known outside Canada, outside Quebec, and in Quebec in particular.
In a very recent survey, Canadians were asked who, in their opinion, was the first ― the best ― Prime Minister in the history of the country? Laurier was far from the top.
However, this is not because people think that Laurier was a poor Prime Minister, but rather that they do not know him.
People remember recent politicians. Evidently, Laurier has been forgotten, in large part, everywhere across Canada.
This is too bad, because he is certainly an individual who marked the generations that were in contact with him, and whose teachings, values, principles and conduct would be very useful today.
Perhaps not all would be pertinent.
There were moments when Laurier failed and errors that Laurier made, but if one wants Canada to survive, there is no doubt that the approach advocated by Laurier during his era is the only valid approach.
The Prime Ministers who have tried (or try) to apply the divide and conquer principle to rule Canada may have forged a political career, but in the end, when they left (or leave), will have caused more harm than good to the country.
Some may say that Canada is a project that deserves to die on its own, but such is not the case. Laurier’s approach is the right one.
I find it extremely regrettable that he is almost unknown ― particularly to French Canadians ― irrespective of whether or not one agrees with him. It is not normal that people know so little about someone who played such an important role in our history.
And, as a French Canadian and a Francophone, he showed everyone that if they were determined and had the opportunity to study, they too could be successful.
This was quite a revelation for French Canadians during the 1860s, 1870s and 1880s. To learn that if they wanted to, they could reach the highest levels in all fields.
It was a fantastic success story and Laurier paved the way.