But don’t take my word for it.
Blacklock’s Reporter, an Ottawa-based news site focused on government business, reports that Parks Canada will use Mandarin-language services at Bethune Memorial House in Gravenhurst, Ontario as part of a bid to “move visitors, volunteers and partners to act as proud ambassadors of Bethune’s values, achievements and humanitarian ideals” and “introduce Parks Canada to a broader audience, in particular of Chinese descent.” Noting that Bethune’s birthplace is one of Canada’s least-visited national historic sites, it hopes to have it recognized by 2027 as “a place of inspiration.” …
He remained relatively obscure in Canada until former prime minister Pierre Trudeau — who had a soft spot for strongmen like Mao and Cuban dictator Fidel Castro — visited China in 1973. The government bought the Bethune house the same year, turning it over to Parks Canada as a national historic site. Bethune has since become the sort of figure who — like James Naismith or the Mad Trapper of Rat River — gets immortalized in official Canadiana as evidence we do indeed have a fascinating past filled with interesting people.
(Sidebar: quelle surprise.)
