Summertime Radical Historical Walking Tours

Ottawa radicals have been fighting for greater social justice for more than 200 years. This summer you can learn more about past protests, strikes, and campaigns during a radical historical walking tour.

My name is Brian McDougall. Since 2014, I’ve given hundreds of tours about Ottawa-Gatineau’s radical past for tourists, residents, and local activists. I believe that historically informed activists are more effective.

Why do we need to know our history? It’s true that history doesn’t repeat itself and can’t provide us with ready-made formulae to guide us today. But knowing how past generations of radicals fought for social justice – stories our rulers either rewrite or suppress – helps to sharpen our ability to think through the strategic and tactical issues we face today.

What kinds of struggles have Ottawa-Gatineau’s radicals mounted in the past? What strategies did they adopt? When did they win and why did they often lose? Those are some of the questions I pose while doing the nine tours offered through Peoples’ History Walking Tours.

Current 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 take place in the center of Ottawa, May through September. Tours are organized on demand, for four or more people.

Who leads the tours? I do. I’m a former university teacher and federal public servant, long-time socialist, trade unionist, and social justice activist in Ottawa-Gatineau. I’m currently active in my trade union, the Canadian Association of Professional Employees (Palestine solidarity caucus and the National Education Committee) and with the Tempest Collective – an American/Canadian socialist group.

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 or want to book a tour.