The Seagram Company Ltd.
1430 PEEL STREET, MONTREAL, QUEBEC, CANADA H3A 1S9

Shortly after the outbreak of World War II, a time of cataclysmic tension in our nation and the world, the late Samuel Bronfman on behalf of Seagram commissioned Stephen Leacock to write the reflective history, Canada, The Foundations of its Future.

In the introduction to that book, my father wrote: “Of all the natural resources of Canada, the greatest is its people.” That premise is as valid now as it was then. Nonetheless, when we examine Canada today, we find a perplexing contrast. We are as blessed with freedom and material well-being as any nation on earth. But realistically, new — and often difficult — relationships have emerged in our social and political order. Their intensity has caused us all to reflect on two vital subjects: who are we and where are we going?

As a concerned corporate citizen, Seagram asked an outstanding group of journalists and photographers to address these questions in terms of our strengths, our weaknesses and our opportunities. Leading this team were, as editorial director, John M. Scott, former editor of Time Canada and now that magazine’s Canadian correspondent, on leave of absence for this project; and Alan Grossman, a writer of wide journalistic experience here and abroad.

The quality of this work has prompted us to give it wide distribution in English and in French through a variety of Canadian magazines and by mail in both Canada and the United States. We hope that it will bring new insights to those who read and discuss it.

Our country is, after all, one of great accomplishment. For years Canada has been regarded throughout the world as a bright star in the galaxy of nations. Ours is a unique opportunity to reach together for greatness — and to achieve it. With compassionate hearts and open minds, let us dare to explore unrealized horizons as we pursue The Canadian Journey.

Charles R. Bronfman
March 1980.

Download the book here in pdf format