Four statues of former Canadian leaders were unveiled on Saturday at a municipal park in Baden, Ontario, drawing both celebration from project organizers and a dozen protesters who decried the event as insensitive. According to CBC News, the unveiling at Castle Kilbride added the likenesses of Sir John Abbott, Sir John Thompson, Sir Mackenzie Bowell, and Sir Charles Tupper to the Prime Minister’s Path project.
Unveiling at Castle Kilbride Follows Years of Controversy
The four new statues join existing statues of Sir John A. Macdonald, Kim Campbell, Sir Robert Borden, William Lyon Mackenzie King, and Lester B. Pearson. Don Bourgeois, chair of the board and president of Createscape Waterloo Region, told CBC News that his group is happy the public art initiative has found its footing once again.
The project was first proposed in 2013 with the goal of honouring former Canadian leaders with 22 bronze statues placed in a park to celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday.
Community Opposition and Indigenous Concerns
By 2020, the statue of Sir John A. Last April, Wilmot council voted to proceed with the project.
Saturday’s unveiling drew about a dozen protesters, led by Benny Skinner, who uses they/them pronouns.
Did You Know? The Prime Ministers Path project was first proposed in 2013.
Future Scope and Remaining Statues
Sculptor Nathan Scott, who sculpted the four newest statues in 2019, defended the works, stating that he is a proud Canadian and loves our history. Scott referred to the newest additions as “the unfortunate four” for what he sees as their limited achievements in office, noting that it wasn’t always done perfectly and that there’s the good, bad and sometimes there’s ugliness to it, but it’s who we are.
Looking ahead, Bourgeois stated that for now, the long-term goal remains completing the remaining 13 statues. Organizers also plan to host educational symposia where the history and work of each prime minister will be discussed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What statues were added to the Prime Minister’s Path on Saturday?
The newly unveiled statues depict Sir John Abbott, Sir John Thompson, Sir Mackenzie Bowell and Sir Charles Tupper.
Who currently manages the Prime Minister’s Path project?
Createscape Waterloo Region manages the project, with board chair and president Don Bourgeois leading the organization under an agreement with Wilmot council to display the statues in municipal parkland for the next 20 years.
Will current political leaders be included in the statues?
What steps should local authorities take to ensure public art projects fairly represent all community perspectives?
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