History Matters by Canadian Institute for Historical Education

Allan welcomes journalist and author Ken Cuthbertson to discuss his new book, Seven Bucks a Head: The Scandalous Child Resettlement Scheme That Built a Nation, published by Sutherland House Books in October 2026 , that tells the story of British “Home Children.” Between 1869 and 1939, more than 100,000 children were collected from the streets of some of the grittiest neighbourhoods of London, Glasgow and Liverpool and sent to work as farm labourers and domestic servants in Canada. The conversation covers the motivations and methods of Maria Rye, Annie McPherson, and Dr. Thomas Barnardo, three of the key figures behind the scheme in its early days, the reactions of the program’s critics as well as its supporters, and the experiences and of the children themselves, including the last-surviving British Home Child, George Beardshaw, who died at age 103 in July 2026.

Allan welcomes Jason Kenney, former Premier of Alberta, former federal cabinet minister, and spokesperson for the stay-in-Canada campaign, to discuss the upcoming referendum in Alberta and the deep historical roots of Western alienation. Prompted by the October 19th referendum, Kenney explores the origin of Alberta’s distinct political culture, the legacy of political dynasties like the United Farmers of Alberta (UFA), Social Credit and Progressive Conservatives, and key moments in federal-provincial tension—from early natural resource disputes to the National Energy Program and modern energy policy debates.

Allan welcomes guest Michael Hill, former history teacher, former artistic director of the Mariposa Folk Festival, and author of The Lost Prime Ministers: Macdonald's Successors Abbott, Thompson, Bowell, and Tupper, to discuss the four prime ministers who led Canada between the death of Sir John A. Macdonald and the election of Sir Wilfrid Laurier. Prompted by the recent unveiling of "The Unfortunate Four" sculpture in Bancroft, Ontario, Hill explores the unique backgrounds, political challenges, and brief tenures of John Abbott, John Thompson, Mackenzie Bowell, and Charles Tupper.

Allan welcomes back Barbara Messamore, Emeritus Professor of History at the University of the Fraser Valley, to discuss the 1925 Canadian federal election, the subsequent King-Byng affair, and the 1926 election. Messamore addresses common misconceptions regarding Governor General Julian Byng’s refusal of Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King’s request for a dissolution of Parliament, examining how the crisis unfolded amidst the Customs Department scandal and Arthur Meighen’s short-lived government. She also reflects on the political dynamics between King and Meighen, the evolving constitutional role of the Crown in Canada, and how similar parliamentary situations have played out in Canadian political history.

Allan welcomes historian Barbara Messamore, Emeritus Professor of History at the University of the Fraser Valley, to discuss her book Times of Transformation: The 1921 Canadian General Election and the broader political landscape of post-WWI Canada. Messamore, who also serves as president of the Institute for the Study of the Crown in Canada, explores the rise of the Progressive Party, the political fortunes of leaders like Arthur Meighen and Mackenzie King and the historic election of Canada's first female MP Agnes MacPhail.

Allan welcomes historian John English, Distinguished Professor Emeritus at the University of Waterloo, to discuss his long career of teaching and writing about Canadian history, and his significant contributions to public service. English edited two volumes of essays about Mackenzie King, published 25 years apart, and wrote critically acclaimed, two-volume biographies of both Lester Pearson and Pierre Trudeau. He also sat in the House of Commons himself from 1993 to 1997, wrote a report on the state of Canada’s national archives for then Heritage Minister Sheila Copps, and continues to serve as chair of the Canadian International Council.

Allan talks with architectural historian Shannon Kyles about her book, The Story of Ontario Architecture: What We Built and Why We Built It. They discuss how architecture provides one lens for looking at the history of Ontario communities. From Gothic Revival churches and Greek Revival court houses and town halls to the Italianate commercial buildings along the main streets of most Ontario small towns, Shannon explains how different architectural styles reflect the values, economics, and aspirations of the people who built them.

Allan talks with Neville Thompson, emeritus professor of History at Western University, about Mackenzie King and his relationships with Winston Churchill and Franklin Roosevelt. In his book, The Third Man, based largely on King’s incredibly detailed personal diary, Thompson argues that King’s friendships with the two leaders – he knew both of them better than they knew each other – made him a vital intermediary, and consequently a more important player in the story of World War Two than has generally been acknowledged. Thompson also talks about his friend Lynton "Red" Wilson, whom he knew since their undergraduate days together at McMaster University, and who died in February 2026, and his significant philanthropic contributions to the study of Canadian history.

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In this episode, Allan talks with Greg Koabel, creator and host of the Nations of Canada podcast, to discuss his mission of bringing Canadian history to life through long-form storytelling. Koabel shares his journey from studying European history to producing over 300 episodes, emphasizing the importance of diverse perspectives and context—rather than mere chronology—in understanding the past. The conversation covers key historical topics, including the First World War, the Halifax Explosion, and Indigenous diplomacy. Additionally, Koabel discusses his new book, The Making of Canada: An Epic History in 20 Extraordinary Lives, offering a behind-the-scenes look at his research process. This episode serves as an engaging deep dive into one of Canada's most ambitious history projects, providing valuable insights for educators, students, and podcast enthusiasts interested in a more comprehensive understanding of the Canadian story.

In this episode Allan speaks with Carla Peck and Alan Sears about their 2026 book, Rescuing Reason: How History Education Can Help Save Democracy. The conversation explores their paths into history education, influenced by the late Peter Seixas, and examines the purpose of education: Sears and Peck argue that history is essential for fostering civic reasoning, empathy, and navigating complexity.

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