

History Matters by Canadian Institute for Historical Education
Canadian Institute for Historical Education
Canada’s history is full of triumphs, tensions, and turning points. Yet too often, it’s reduced to headlines or overshadowed by present-day debates. History Matters was created to give space for deeper conversations — ones that connect the past to the present, and help us see why context matters more than ever.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 24, 2025 • 26min
David Frum on ‘Settlers & Colonialists
What does settler colonialism really mean, and how does it shape the way we see Canada’s past? In this special live episode of History Matters, we feature journalist and author David Frum delivering his talk “Settlers and Colonialists,” recorded at a CIHE event in Toronto.Frum challenges audiences to think critically about how the language of settler colonialism has reframed the histories of Canada, the U.S., and Israel, and what that means for national identity, guilt, and democracy today. Whether you agree or disagree, this is a provocative exploration of how history and politics collide in modern discourse.https://davidfrum.com/page/about

Oct 24, 2025 • 39min
Patrice Dutil on Sir John A Macdonald
What if one year and one election defined Canada’s destiny? In this first episode of History Matters, I speak with historian Patrice A. Dutil about his new book Ballots and Brawls: The 1867 Canadian Election, and why context matters in understanding our past.We unpack the first election after Confederation, the chaos of open ballots and political brawls, and how a fragile democracy took root under Sir John A. Macdonald. Patrice also shares insights from his award-winning Sir John A. Macdonald and the Apocalyptic Year 1885, when rebellion, smallpox, and railways collided to test Canada’s young nation.Subscribe for more thoughtful takes on the moments that shaped Canadian history.Patrice Dutilhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/patrice-dutil-8962a12b7/

Oct 2, 2025 • 59sec
Introducing History Matters a Podcast By Canadian Institute for Historical Education
Canada’s history is full of triumphs, tensions, and turning points. Yet too often, it’s reduced to headlines or overshadowed by present-day debates. History Matters was created to give space for deeper conversations — ones that connect the past to the present, and help us see why context matters more than ever.Through engaging storytelling, candid interviews, and spirited discussion, History Matters will explore:The pivotal choices and challenges that have shaped CanadaStories of the people — both well-known and overlooked — who influenced our pathHow history continues to inform today’s debates about politics, culture, and identityMake sure you're subscribed wherever you get your podcasts.


