Financial District in Toronto, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
The “Canada First” Movement
Photographed by Tim Boyd, June 1, 2026
1. The “Canada First” Movement Marker
Inscription.
The “Canada First” Movement. . Originating in Ottawa, in 1868, with informal meetings of a few youthful patriots, "Canada First" was the name and slogan of a movement to promote nationalist sentiment. Its founding members were Charles Mair, Henry Morgan, William Foster, G. T. Denison and R. G. Haliburton. Two years later the movement created the North-West Emigration Aid Society to encourage British immigration. In 1874 the group, now centered in Toronto, established "The Nation”, a weekly journal, entered politics as the Canadian National Association, and founded the National Club as its rallying place. By then "Canada First" had the support of such influential figures as Edward Blake and Goldwin Smith. Though the movement's political influence soon waned, its expression of a popular Canadian ideal had enduring significance.
Originating in Ottawa, in 1868, with informal meetings of a few youthful patriots, "Canada First" was the name and slogan of a movement to promote nationalist sentiment. Its founding members were Charles Mair, Henry Morgan, William Foster, G. T. Denison and R. G. Haliburton. Two years later the movement created the North-West Emigration Aid Society to encourage British immigration. In 1874 the group, now centered in Toronto, established "The Nation”, a weekly journal, entered politics as the Canadian National Association, and founded the National Club as its rallying place. By then "Canada First" had the support of such influential figures as Edward Blake and Goldwin Smith. Though the movement's political influence soon waned, its expression of a popular Canadian ideal had enduring significance.
Erected 1974 by Ontario Archeological and Historic Sites Board.
79° 22.83′ W. Marker is in Toronto, Ontario. It is in the Financial District. It is at the intersection of Bay Street and Adelaide Street West, on the right when traveling north on Bay Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 303 Bay St, Toronto ON M5H 4A6, Canada. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Toronto and on the Golden Horseshoe. It is also in Central Canada. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony, the Viceroyalty of New France, the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, and Rupert’s Land.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 8, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 7, 2026, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 10 times since then. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on June 7, 2026, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
