Emotions run high as Sir John A’s statue comes down in Victoria
VICTORIA — The statue of Canada’s first prime minister, Sir John A. Macdonald, was hoisted on a five-point harness from its place outside Victoria’s city hall early Saturday morning amid cheers, boos and disagreements about the politician’s legacy.
City crews started the process at 5 a.m., after some preparation, including erecting temporary fencing on Friday night. The statue was driven away on a flatbed truck by 7:30 a.m. Later, crews installed a plaque in the statue’s place.
The 635-kilogram bronze statue, installed in 1982, was cut with a saw under its limestone base — the metal rods holding it down severed — and was removed with much care and attention.
At this point, some people began singing O Canada, while others jeered.
The final leg of the lift and transportation of the statue was accompanied by people singing the refrain, “Na na na na, na na na na, hey, hey, goodbye” to drown out those with hands on hearts singing O Canada.
Matthew Breeden, one of a few young men wrapped in Canadian flags, said he came to city hall to show respect for Macdonald, describing the removal of his statue as “like a funeral process.”
“I don’t support them taking down the statue. We want more debate,” said Breeden.
Bradley Clements, 28, held a sign reading: “No honour in genocide.”
Countering opinions that the presence of the statue promotes educational dialogue about history, Clements said: “If that’s the case, it’s failed.”
Clements said few who pass the statue know Macdonald as the architect of residential schools and other policies of assimilation under the Indian Act — restricting movement and his refusal to supply food to starving First Nations on the Prairies.
“I think the act of removing it is starting that necessary dialogue,” said Clements.
His friend, Kate Loomer, 25, said she’s passed the statue and never even noticed it — a statue that offends many Indigenous people.
“At no point did anyone ever say, ‘Let’s meet at the statue and talk about Indigenous rights and truth and reconciliation,’” said Loomer. “That’s the point.”
Tsastilqualus, 64 and a residential school survivor, was proud to witness the removal of a “shameful part of Canada’s history.”
Tsastilqualus wants the statue moved to a museum with an explanation of all facets of Macdonald’s policies — as well as an update on why the statue was moved from Victoria city hall.
Barbara Todd-Hager, 58, a TV producer who is Metis, said she also felt a lot of pride for her Indigenous relations and friends that Macdonald’s discriminatory policies are today being acknowledged.
Eric McWilliam, 27, arrived on his electric bike about 5 a.m. Until two days ago, he was a fan of Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps, but now he’s offended that the mayor shut down public debate over the statue’s removal and that she “and a small group of political elites” made the decision.