Queen's Park statues to be covered up ahead of further protests
· Toronto Sun
Statues at Queen’s Park will be temporarily covered up after one was vandalized with graffiti during a protest earlier this month over proposed changes to student financial aid.
Visit iwanktv.club for more information.
The decision was made by Speaker Donna Skelly, who has oversight of the grounds of the legislature.
In a statement to the Toronto Sun on Wednesday, Skelly said “protecting the safety and security of people and public property at Queen’s Park is a top priority.”
Student protest at Queen’s Park
On March 4, the George Brown statue was defaced with a spray-painted epithet during a large demonstration over the government’s proposed cuts to the Ontario Student Assistance Program.
Brown was one of the Fathers of Confederation who is best known as the founder and editor of the Toronto Globe , which later became The Globe and Mail .
Toronto Police said one person was charged with mischief – damage to property under $5,000 while another is accused of spitting on a police officer and was charged with assault.
Skelly said vandalism and assault “is simply unacceptable,” adding the same group plans to protest at Queen’s Park again when the House resumes.
Covering statues ‘preventative measure’
“As a preventative measure, the Sergeant-at-Arms has recommended the temporary wrapping of the eight statues on the lawn to prevent further damage,” she said. “Repairing vandalism costs taxpayers thousands of dollars — money that should not have to be spent.”
Skelly added that everyone has the right to peacefully protest on the grounds of the legislature, “but there will be zero tolerance for violence or lawbreaking.”
There are many historical monuments and statues located on the grounds of Queen’s Park , including sculptures of Queen Elizabeth II, William Lyon Mackenzie, Sir Oliver Mowat, and Lieutenant Governor John Graves Simcoe.
Premier Doug Ford, who spoke with reporters in Wellington North Township at an unrelated news conference Wednesday morning, said he has no problem with protesters who show up at Queen’s Park.
But he does take issue when property is vandalized.
“Anyone who wants to protest, you come to Queens Park, do cartwheels, jump up and down, whatever you want to do,” he said. “Do not vandalize. Do not vandalize those statues. They’re historic. And if you do, you’re gonna get charged.”
Ford also said it was unfortunate that the statues have to be wrapped due to vandalism.
“I spoke to the speaker this morning and she said that they have to wrap them up,” he continued. “It’s ridiculous. Protest all you want, but don’t vandalize people’s property, the taxpayer’s property.”
Statue of first PM vandalized in 2020
In 2020, the statue of Sir John A. Macdonald was boarded up after it was vandalized with paint during a protest over the role Canada’s first prime minister played in creating the residential school system.
The statue was cleaned and a protective coating was applied, but it wasn’t uncovered until five years later following meetings with Indigenous representatives.
“As Speaker, I recognize the sensitivities surrounding the history of Canada’s first Prime Minister and I welcome all Ontarians to express their views — peacefully,” Skelly said in a statement last June .
“Violence and acts of vandalism will not be tolerated, and the Legislative Protective Service will actively monitor the statue and grounds.”