Famous Canadians
People Worth Celebrating and Studying
We are pleased to introduce our Famous Canadians: Michaëlle Jean, Donovan Bailey, John McCrae, Terry Fox, Chris Hadfield, David Suzuki and Viola Desmond.
Donovan Bailey and Michaëlle Jean are the most recent additions, and they join us featured Caribbean Canadians, part of a larger study unit on culture, history, ethnicity and geography. John McCrae is the soldier poet who penned one of the most iconic poem of all time, the WWI poem, “In Flander’s Fields.” Terry Fox, like Donovan Bailey is a heroic athlete who needs no introduction. He’s a Canadian icon. Chris Hadfield almost needs no introduction – he’s one of our most popular Canadian exports and cultural icons. Suzuki and Desmond represent a wide spectrum of Canadianness. Born in 1914 in Halifax, Nova Scotia Ms. Desmond was an activist and civil rights pioneer. Dr. Suzuki, born 1936 in Vancouver, British Columbia, is an academic and broadcaster who took up the mantle of environmental activist.
Michaëlle Jean
Governor general, journalist
Like Viola Desmond, Michaelle-Jean is a Canadian woman who is accomplished and respected all across the country..Jean has championed the rights of women, minorities, youth, and people all around the world. Best-known for her tenure as Canada’s governor general, she is current Secretary-General of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie.
View Caribbean Canadians for media and downloads
Donovan Bailey
Athlete, broadcaster
Like Terry Fox, Donovan Bailey is a Canadian sports hero. Through hard work on and off the track, Donovan has touched and reached many Canadians. Known as the fastest man in the world for his record at the Atlanta Olympics in 1996, he has also worked to empower amateur athletes, and he operates a sports rehabilitation clinic. Donovan is still a champ – and one of our featured Caribbean Canadians.
View Caribbean Canadians for media and downloads (coming soon)
John McCrae
Soldier, doctor, poet
John McCrae was a hero, plain and simple. He was a devoted and loyal soldier and doctor who served his country and fellow soldiers during WWI. He wrote “In Flander’s Fields,” one of the most beautiful and enduring poems of all time. John’s profile for Famous Canadians is part of a special unit on Remembrance Day.
View profile for interactive page, media and downloads
Terry Fox
Athlete, activisit
Terry Fox is a Canadian hero. Though he was young, he left an enduring legacy and was respected for his elite athleticism and tremendous courage and determination. His foundation has raised more than half a billion dollars for cancer research.
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Chris Hadfield
Fighter pilot, astronaut (retired)
Chris Hadfield is a former astronaut and fighter pilot. He is the first Canadian to walk in space, and first musician to record a music video in space. He is currently working as a photographer, writer and public speaker.
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David Suzuki
Activist, Broadcaster, Academic
David Suzuki was born and raised in British Columbia and Ontario. He rose to fame via hosting a television program called “The Nature of Things.” He’s now known for his activism: his foundation focuses on protecting the oceans.
View profile for interactive page, media and downloads
Viola Desmond
Activist, Business person
Viola Desmond was born and raised in Halifax, Nova Scotia. She became famous through her civil rights activism. She will be honoured in Canada as the new face of the 2017 Canadian ten dollar bill.
View profile for interactive page, media and downloads
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