1868What was Canada’s first state funeral?
Canada’s first state funeral took place in Ottawa following the assassination of the Honourable Thomas D’Arcy McGee on April 7, 1868. His death resonated deeply across the young nation, as McGee had been a central figure in promoting Canadian Confederation, religious freedom, and minority rights. The funeral procession in Montréal drew an astonishing 10,000 marchers and between 60,000 to 100,000 spectators—a display of national unity and public mourning unprecedented in Canadian history. Remarkably, 23 military units participated in the civilian’s funeral, underscoring the profound impact McGee had on shaping Canada’s early identity.
