Pierre Berton
Pierre Berton was one of Canada's defining voices. He transformed how Canadians understood their own history, bringing the nation's past to life through compelling storytelling that made history accessible to millions. Over a remarkable career, he authored more than 50 books, broke new ground as a journalist, and became one of Canada's most recognizable television personalities.
I first met Mr. Berton at an art opening in Kleinberg, and we crossed paths several times afterward in Toronto. On every art expedition, we made a point of ensuring that Canada's leading writers lent their voices in support of the arts, including George Ramsay Cook, Ron Graham, George Woodcock, and Pierre Berton. They understood that a nation's culture is sustained not only by artists, but by those willing to champion them. Mr. Berton demonstrated that commitment throughout his life. He co-founded the Writers' Trust of Canada, donated his childhood home to establish a permanent writers' residency, and used television, radio, and the national press to elevate Canadian writers and artists.
As a passionate cultural nationalist, he believed Canada could never be truly sovereign without a vibrant community of storytellers capable of telling our own stories in our own voice. During one conversation, Mr. Berton and I spoke about Quebec separation and the future of Canada. When Ramsay Cook joined us, he turned to Pierre and said, "David writes, you should hear his poem." Pierre smiled and replied, "Yes, please. I would like to hear it." I protested. "That's hardly fair. I'm standing in front of two of Canada's greatest writers. "Then I recited:
Please Stay Our country is breaking,
Generations of shared history bound.
Borders are closing,
Not with fences or fear,
But with the quiet strength of neighbours slipping away.
Please stay, Under this shared northern sky.
When I finished, my face was burning with embarrassment. Ramsey smiled. Mr. Berton was smiling. I apologized, profusely. Then, almost at the same moment, they both said, "No,no - we like it." They each threw an arm around me, and we erupted in laughter. “You like it?” I said. “I can’t believe you both said that with a straight face.” Some memories fade. Others become part of who we are. That afternoon, I wasn't simply encouraged by two of Canada's most established writers- I was reminded that the stories we dare to share, no matter how imperfect, are the stories that keep a nation together. That is the Canada Pierre Berton believed in. And it is the Canada still worth fighting for.
Pierre Berton was one of Canada's defining voices. He transformed how Canadians understood their own history, bringing the nation's past to life through compelling storytelling that made history accessible to millions. Over a remarkable career, he authored more than 50 books, broke new ground as a journalist, and became one of Canada's most recognizable television personalities.
I first met Mr. Berton at an art opening in Kleinberg, and we crossed paths several times afterward in Toronto. On every art expedition, we made a point of ensuring that Canada's leading writers lent their voices in support of the arts, including George Ramsay Cook, Ron Graham, George Woodcock, and Pierre Berton. They understood that a nation's culture is sustained not only by artists, but by those willing to champion them. Mr. Berton demonstrated that commitment throughout his life. He co-founded the Writers' Trust of Canada, donated his childhood home to establish a permanent writers' residency, and used television, radio, and the national press to elevate Canadian writers and artists.
As a passionate cultural nationalist, he believed Canada could never be truly sovereign without a vibrant community of storytellers capable of telling our own stories in our own voice. During one conversation, Mr. Berton and I spoke about Quebec separation and the future of Canada. When Ramsay Cook joined us, he turned to Pierre and said, "David writes, you should hear his poem." Pierre smiled and replied, "Yes, please. I would like to hear it." I protested. "That's hardly fair. I'm standing in front of two of Canada's greatest writers. "Then I recited:
Please Stay Our country is breaking,
Generations of shared history bound.
Borders are closing,
Not with fences or fear,
But with the quiet strength of neighbours slipping away.
Please stay, Under this shared northern sky.
When I finished, my face was burning with embarrassment. Ramsey smiled. Mr. Berton was smiling. I apologized, profusely. Then, almost at the same moment, they both said, "No,no - we like it." They each threw an arm around me, and we erupted in laughter. “You like it?” I said. “I can’t believe you both said that with a straight face.” Some memories fade. Others become part of who we are. That afternoon, I wasn't simply encouraged by two of Canada's most established writers- I was reminded that the stories we dare to share, no matter how imperfect, are the stories that keep a nation together. That is the Canada Pierre Berton believed in. And it is the Canada still worth fighting for.
