Despite vandalism and outrage that spurred a decision from a Prince Edward County working group to call for the removal of the Sir John A. Macdonald statue in Picton, it seems like a lot of people locally don’t agree with that decision.
Our Quinte News Facebook page was flooded with comments against the decision this week, from people who feel like the statue should stay and “history shouldn’t be ignored”.
Some suggested adding a second plaque to the statue that could educate people on the “darker chapter” of Macdonald’s political career, while others said that while the past mistakes of Canada’s first prime minister shouldn’t be ignored, removing the statue may help to make amends with those he wronged, including Indigenous Canadians.
Results from a Quinte News poll showed 66% of respondents thought the statue should stay, while 29% wanted it removed and 5% were indifferent.
The working group had considered five options including keeping the statue as is, removing it, relocating it, replacing it or modifying it, but decided removing it was the best decision.
