The statue of Canada’s first Prime Minister in Picton’s downtown core is staying put.
Councillors in Prince Edward County voted 12-2 in favour of keeping the statue of Sir John A. Macdonald where it is in front of the library on Picton’s Main Street.
The decision was made during a virtual special council meeting on Tuesday night that went for over four hours.
Councillor Phil St-Jean made an amending motion to the recommendation made by the Prince Edward Heritage Advisory Committee.
He asked to have the statue remain where it is on Main Street, and that staff be directed to develop a public art policy that reaffirms Prince Edward County’s commitment to anti-racist attitudes and inclusiveness of marginalized peoples, in consultation with the Prince Edward County Arts Council by September 3, 2021. Council should support private ventures or pursue efforts of its own, or the municipality, to greater showcase indigenous art and culture (e.g. those of the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte). Staff should be directed to consult, with legal advice, the Macdonald Project Group, the artist Ruth Abernethy, the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte and other indigenous groups with historical ties to PEC to develop meaningful, respectful and historically accurate messaging to be added to the “Holding Court” display on Picton’s Main Street to encourage public discussion and education adhering to the guiding principles of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s recommendations.
Councillors Ernie Margetson and Kate McNaughton were the lone dissenting votes.
St-Jean felt removing the statue set back discussions and leaving the statue in place will foster more education.
“If anything that we have learned of this court case of a man who has been dead since 1891, is that we need to have more discussion. We need to have more conversation, in a civil and respectful manner, respecting both perspectives.”
He said the statue being located in front of the library was the ideal place for people to learn more about the history surrounding Macdonald and many councillors agreed the statue is a good way to foster further education when it comes to Macdonald and Canadian history.
Councillors heard 11 deputations, with nine in favour of keeping the statue and eight comments from the audience on the issue.
Shannon Helm spoke and was one of those seeking the removal of the statue.
Helm is a teacher in Northern Ontario and has two Cree daughters and told council the statue is for her, a symbol of colonialism, patriarchy and white supremacy.
“Taking down a statue because we are recognizing the truth of the impact this man and his policies had, and has on indigenous people, has a feeling of reconciliation to me. But to be clear, it is only a baby step towards true reconciliation; it is a gesture.”
Mayor Steve Ferguson said this sculpture has opened many people’s eyes about the importance of the conversation they were having.
“Keep the statue where it is and it be, in front of the library, and it be augmented with more information, whatever form that takes will involve consultation as has been suggested and make sure we get it right.”
A working group was established, and the Prince Edward Heritage Advisory Committee was consulted on what to do with the statue following a public comment period.
Council and staff did receive a legal opinion regarding the statue and Mayor Ferguson noted the municipality does have a contract with Abernathy regarding the statue. No further details regarding the contract or the legal opinion were shared during the meeting.
