The book Canada needs now.
The first book in more than 25 years to chronicle the history of Canada’s prime ministers is here.
Praise for The Prime Ministers
“J.D.M. Stewart strongly believes that Canadians should know their prime ministers better. This remarkable survey of Canadian prime ministers from Macdonald to Carney convincingly makes his point.
— John English, author of Just Watch Me: The Life of Pierre Elliott Trudeau, 1968-2000
“Most welcome in this fine book is how Stewart assesses these flawed and outstanding politicians against the context of the time and not by contemporary standards, even as he is critical of some actions and decisions.”
— Tim Cook, author of Vimy: The Battle and the Legend
More Praise for
The Prime Ministers
“Combining thorough research with careful analysis, J.D.M. Stewart tells a lively story of, not only Canada’s prime ministers, but of the country itself.”
— John Ibbitson, author of The Duel: Diefenbaker, Pearson, and the Making of Modern Canada
“One of Canada’s finest historians, J.D.M. Stewart stands out as one of the best teachers about Canada’s past.”
— Bob Rae, Ambassador of Canada to the United Nations
“J.D.M. Stewart understands that every new generation needs to be taught about the successes and failures of our leaders. Our first prime minister has gone from an indispensable hero who created Canada, to a cancelled sinner, to now being understood in context, as a man of his times. All our prime ministers must be seen through a similar lens. ”
— Steve Paikin, author of John Turner and host of The Paikin Podcast
EVENTS
Halifax
October 26
Toronto
October 28
Yorkminster Park United Church
An event with the Canadian Institute for Historical Education
Toronto
November 20
Official Book Launch
Noonan’s Pub
141 Danforth Ave.
Guelph
November 23
The Bookshelf
London, UK
2026
Details to Come
Toronto
June 2, 2026
Arts and Letters Club
J.D.M. STEWART
J.D.M. Stewart is an award-winning educator, writer, commentator, and public speaker. As a teacher for 30 years, he inspired young people for decades as they learned about the past. His storytelling, peppered with colourful anecdotes, delights audiences across the country, both in person and in print.
With a strong following in Canada’s newspapers and media, J.D.M. Stewart is often called upon to comment in The Globe and Mail and The Hub, or on television for TVO’s The Agenda with Steve Paikin, CBC’s The House, Canada Tonight, and numerous radio programs. J.D.M. was also part of a team that won a National Newspaper Award in 2021 for sustained news coverage.
Stewart’s first book, Being Prime Minister, published by Dundurn Press, was named a Hill Times Top 100 book, while The Prime Ministers, published by Sutherland House in September of 2025, is the first assessment of Canada’s PMs in 25 years. Stewart was awarded a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for his contribution to history education in Canada.
Credit: Rick Halpern
Media
J.D.M. Stewart is a frequent commentator in Canadian media. Below is a selection of his recent work.
Watch J.D.M.’s interview with The Hub’s managing editor, Harrison Lowman, October 17, 2025, discussing prime ministers and his book.
Watch J.D.M.’s interview with Terry and Ted on the Standing By podcast, Sept. 23, 2025
Watch J.D.M.’s interview with Steve Paikin on The Paikin Podcast, Sept. 12, 2025
Watch J.D.M.’s interview with The Hub’s managing editor, Harrison Lowman, August 19, 2025
Read "No more burying our history— The statues of Canada’s prime ministers are out of hiding and back on display" Click to read.
—The Hub, August 7, 2025
More commentary from J.D.M. Stewart at The Hub is found here.
Read J.D.M. Stewart on William Lyon Mackenzie King in The Globe and Mail.
Read J.D.M. Stewart’s book reviews in the Literary Review of Canada.
Being Prime Minister— a Hill Times Top 100 book.
A behind the scenes look at the job of being prime minister
“Stewart’s clear intent is to make Canada’s prime ministers a little more multi-dimensional than their portrayals in history books, the media or even by their own handlers.”
— Susan Delacourt, Toronto Star
J.D.M. STEWART
Book Inquiries: sranasinghe@sutherlandhousebooks.com
Get in touch: jdmstewart@gmail.com
www.jdmstewart.ca