Welcome to Radical Events Ottawa! Learn more about the list here. See the full calendar here.
Please Note: Events listed on this calendar are not organized by the Punch Up Collective unless otherwise noted in the event details.
Learn about Ottawa’s radical history on a walking tour
May 22 @ 8:00 am - October 20 @ 5:00 pm
Learn about Ottawa’s radical history on a walking tour
Take your radicalism outdoors this summer so you and your friends can learn from previous generations of troublemakers on a radical historical walking tour.
My name is Brian McDougall. Since 2014, I’ve given hundreds of radical tours to visitors, residents, and local activists.
Why do we need to know our history? It’s true that history doesn’t repeat itself, and it can’t provide us with ready-made formulae to guide us today. But, knowing the inspiring stories about how others fought for social justice – whether they won or lost – helps to sharpen our ability to think through the strategic and tactical issues we face today.
Peoples’ History Walking Tours:
- Building the Rideau Canal and the making of the Ottawa working class
- Protest, strike, and rebellion in the history of Canada’s capital
- An unauthorized history of Parliament Hill: From Indigenous land to headquarters of Canada’s elite
- Indigenous peoples and colonialism in the history of Canada’s capital
- From sacred site to industrial wasteland: colonialism and class struggle in the Chaudière District
- More than taverns and brothels: French Canadian, Irish, and Jewish struggles against oppression in Lowertown
- The rise and fall of federal public service militancy in Ottawa-Gatineau, 1965-2023
- Colonialism and resistance in Canada’s capital: lessons from Indigenous, Irish, Black South African, and Palestinian struggles
- Failure to revolt? Why Winnipeg had a general strike in 1919 while Ottawa’s was aborted
How good are the tours? In 85 reviews on Trip Advisor, 79 tour participants rated their experience 5 stars out of 5. You can read their comments here: https://www.tripadvisor.ca/Attraction_Review-g155004-d7035441-Reviews-Peoples_History_Walking_Tours-Ottawa_Ontario.html
What does a tour involve? Tours are given in English, last from 3 to 3.5 hours, and mainly take place in the center of Ottawa, May to October.
Who leads the tours? I do. I’m a former university teacher and federal public servant, land long-time socialist, trade unionist and social justice activist in Ottawa-Gatineau. I’m currently active with the Palestinian solidarity caucus and the national education committee of my public service union: the Canadian Association of Professional Employees.
How much does a tour cost? Tours cost $35 per person and require a minimum of four participants. Groups can be as large as 20, with those of 10 or more eligible for a discount.
How do you book a tour? Organize a group and select a preferred day and time. (Tours are organized on demand.) Then send me an email brian.phwt@gmail.com or book through my website https://ottawahistorytours.com Don’t hesitate to contact me if you have questions.