Sir John A. Macdonald statue to be uncovered at Queen's Park, sparking new tensions with First Nations
The wooden structure that has hidden a statue of Sir John A. Macdonald on the Ontario Legislature's front lawn for five years is set to be removed this summer, reigniting debate about the first prime minister's tainted legacy as the province faces new tensions with First Nations.
The decision, pushed by Progressive Conservative and Liberal members of a legislative committee, emerged as Premier Doug Ford's PC government faces vehement opposition from Indigenous leaders over its Bill 5, which would give Ontario sweeping powers to speed up the construction of new mines or other projects.
The Macdonald statue has been covered with grey hoarding since Black Lives Matter protesters splashed it with pink paint in 2020. It is one of several prominent statues of the first prime minister across Canada to face vandalism or to be removed entirely over Macdonald's role in the establishment of Canada's Indigenous residential school system.
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Opposition NDP Deputy Leader Sol Mamakwa, the Legislature's only First Nations MPP – who attended a residential school – said the decision to reveal the statue is disrespectful, especially as First Nations have had to come to Queen's Park to battle Bill 5, which they say violates their treaty rights. He warned that the unboxing of Macdonald could result in protests, vandalism or even the toppling of the statue.
'Let them learn,' Mr. Mamakwa, who represents the Northern riding of Kiiwetinoong, told reporters. 'When I think about Sir John A. Macdonald, I think about Indian residential schools, period.'
He said the government should instead move the statue to a museum or put up a plaque explaining what Macdonald means to First Nations and build a memorial for the victims of residential schools. But he also said a legislative committee set up years ago to decide the statue's future had received 'minimal response' from First Nation communities grappling with multiple other crises.
After a unanimous vote on Tuesday, that committee of MPPs will now focus on 'respecting Indigenous representation' in the upcoming massive renovations set for Queen's Park, which is to be shut down for work expected to take years and cost as much as $1-billion.
The board of internal economy, a committee that includes the house leaders of the three recognized political parties at Queen's Park, voted on May 12 to remove the Macdonald statue's hoarding. PC MPP Paul Calandra, one of two PC MPPs on the committee, moved the motion, which Liberal House Leader John Fraser supported. The minutes do not show how NDP House Leader John Vanthof voted.
At Queen's Park, the cobblestones around the hidden statue have at times been covered in children's shoes as a makeshift memorial for those who died or were abused in residential schools. Now, the statue is set to be cleaned and covered in a protective film and unveiled in the summer, said Donna Skelly, the Speaker of the Legislature who presides over its debates and the grounds.
A sign long posted on the Macdonald statue's hoarding will be 'formalized' and remain on display, Ms. Skelly said. It tells visitors that though 'we cannot change the history we have inherited, we can shape the history we wish to leave behind.' The sign also says the Speaker is 'considering how the depictions of those histories in the monuments and statuary on the Assembly's grounds can respect all of our diverse cultures and peoples.'
While the statue was covered, a threat assessment from the Sergeant-at-Arms warned that unveiling it could see it toppled or beheaded, creating a safety risk. Ms. Skelly said Queen's Park security would monitor the statue 24 hours a day and that protesters were welcome, but vandals would be prosecuted.
Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation, which represents 49 First Nations across Northern Ontario, said Macdonald 'represents so much grief and suffering' for Indigenous people and called the unveiling a huge step backwards.
'Just take it to the garbage dump, that's where it belongs,' Mr. Fiddler said in an interview.
Both he and Mr. Mamakwa also said Tuesday that they reject minor amendments the government has proposed to its Bill 5, which will be before a legislative committee on Wednesday. The bill has been condemned by First Nations, the opposition and the Canadian Civil Liberties Association for proposing 'special economic zones' where the province could suspend any of its own laws to speed up development projects. Mr. Fiddler said the government failed to consult First Nations and must scrap the bill and start over.
Speaking briefly to reporters after question period, Government House Leader Steve Clark would not answer basic questions about the Macdonald statue decision. NDP Leader Marit Stiles said she did not know how the decision was made but said the province needs to have 'real conversations' with First Nations about the fate of statues such as the Macdonald one.
Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie defended the move but said the statue should have an explanatory plaque that addresses the historical context: 'I think it's time that we uncover the statue and deal with our past.'
With a report from Laura Stone
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