Kingston prepares to remove Sir John A. Macdonald Statue from City Park
As the city of Kingston prepares to remove the Sir John A Macdonald statue from City Park, residents are reacting to the news the monument will be relocated.
On Wednesday evening, city council voted to remove the statue from the park, place it in a temporary location, with the goal of giving it a new home in the Cataraqui Cemetary, which is a National Historic Site where Canada's first prime minister is buried.
The decision to remove the statue from City Park follows a week of peaceful protests by Indigenous residents and allies in the park.
Indigenous residents told CTV News Ottawa they weren’t prepared to speak yet, but ally Viktor Thorson said he’d been at the event, which consists of a sacred fire and ceremony.
"My first reaction was a spark of joy but also a sense of resolve," he says.
Thorson says the atmosphere is one of momentary relief.
"I heard from people, 'I don’t come to this part of town because I don’t want to see this figure on a pedestal,'" Thorson says. "And I think at the very least when the physical marker is removed then some healing may be able to take place."
Kingston’s connection with Macdonald runs deep, and the city considers itself to be Macdonald’s hometown. Some are disappointed to see the statue being moved.
Resident Mark O'Farrell spoke about Macdonald's legacy and connection to the region during Wednesday's Council meeting.
"He was one of the founders of this country. A country that is today revered as one of the best to live," he said. "He was prime minister of Canada and he built the railroad that binds Canadians from coast-to-coast."
The statue will go into temporary storage, and the city will begin consultations with Indigenous members of the community.
In an interview Thursday morning with CTV News, Mayor Bryan Paterson called the decision to move it the best possible compromise.
"Those that are calling for the statue to be removed, the statue is being removed," he said. "Those that are concerned about removing history, that's not going to happen. The statue will remain. There’s a commitment that it will continue to be displayed."
The Limestone Public School Board also voted Wednesday to remove the name of Canada’s first prime minster from a school in the east end.
Paterson says Indigenous groups will be consulted on the statues destination and display in the coming weeks.
"This is all a chance for a community conversation," he explained.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Another suspect arrested in Toronto Pearson airport gold heist: police
Another suspect is in custody in connection with the gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year, police say.
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Trump hush money trial: Play-by-play on Day 2 of Stormy Daniels testimony
Adult film star Stormy Daniels took the stand for a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump's hush money case continues in Manhattan.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Miss Teen USA steps down just days after Miss USA's resignation
Miss Teen USA resigned Wednesday, sending further shock waves through the pageant community just days after Miss USA said she would relinquish her crown.
Cyclist strikes child crossing the street to catch school bus in Montreal
A video circulating on social media of a young girl being hit by a bike has some calling for better safety and more caution when designing bike lanes in the city. The video shows a four-year-old girl crossing Jeanne-Mance Street in Montreal's Plateau neighbourhood to get on a school bus stopped on the opposite side of the street
B.C. wildfires likely to spread with weekend temperatures expected to soar, province says
Wildfire and emergency management officials in British Columbia are urging residents to be prepared for increased fire activity as temperatures are expected to soar above 30 C in parts of the province this weekend.
Wilfrid Laurier football player drafted despite only playing 27 games in his entire life
A Listowel, Ont. man, drafted by the Hamilton Tigercats last week, is also getting looks from the NFL, despite only playing 27 games of football in his life.