John Wesley Dafoe

John Dafoe, one of Canada’s leading journalists, was born in Upper Canada. In 1901, after working on various newspapers, he came to Winnipeg as editor-in-chief of the Free Press. In this position he influenced Canadian opinion and played a major role in the public life of Canada until his death. Although he had been a staunch Liberal and supporter of Laurier, he was instrumental in the formation of the Union government in 1917. Dafoe championed an active Canadian role in international affairs, and between 1937-39 served on the Rowell-Sirois Commission on Dominion-Provincial relations. He died in Winnipeg.

Cet éminent journaliste est né dans le Haut-Canada. Devenu rédacteur en chef du Free Press de Winnipeg en 1901 après avoir travaillé pour plusieurs journaux, il influença l’opinion et la vie publique canadienne jusqu’à sa mort. Libéral de conviction et partisan de Laurier, il n’en participa pas moins à la formation du gouvernement d’Union en 1917. Après la guerre, il préconisa un plus grand engagement du Canada dans les relations internationales. De 1937 à 1939 il fut membre de la commission Rowell-Sirois sur les relations entre le Dominion et les provinces. Il mourut à Winnipeg.