This magnificent portal is located on the Mackenzie King Estate in Gatineau Park, just 15 minutes drive from Ottawa’s Parliament Hill. King bequeathed his estate to all Canadians.

Mackenzie King was our 10th and longest serving prime minister – for 22 years, during the 1920’s through the 1940’s. Aside from his political life, he loved nature, history, architecture. He had his summer home in the Gatineau Hills for close to 50 years, beginning in the early 1900’s. The estate reflects his love of horticulture, landscaping, romantic gardens and architectural ruins. The portal itself was taken from the British American Bank Note Company before it was demolished in 1936. In another area of the garden are windows of a similar classical style taken from the same building. They both offer views which lead us deeper into the garden’s more natural settings. King had a very spiritual side and it’s difficult not to imagine that you are stepping through a portal into a different reality, one expectant with new hope and promise.

Certainly, our nation is hoping this will be the case with the fall of the Conservative Party and the bright future the Liberals are offering us. King was also a Liberal and his government made many impressive achievements: the establishment of Old Age pensions (1927), the appointment of the first female senator (1930), the creation of Air Canada (1937), of the National Film Board (1939), of Unemployment Insurance (1940), of Family Allowances (1945), and of a Canadian citizenship (1947). Previously, individuals born in Canada and naturalized immigrants were classified as British subjects rather than Canadian citizens. Prime Minister King became the first Canadian citizen.

Now King was not without fault and has been criticized over exclusive immigration policies, and initially failing to recognize the danger that Hitler posed. In turn, we are not expecting Justin Trudeau to be a miracle worker, but certainly he could receive inspiration from the beneficial works of his celebrated predecessor. We’re hoping in the least he will be as sensitive to the natural environment and serve as its protector.

Viewing the picture above and the others you will see on The Source website can inspire us all to protect the beauty that is our planet.