John A. monument

It is a monument that remembers an important leader who grew up in Glenora, became a barrister, and then went on to be a leader in the establishment of this great country. John A. was a driving force for the Canada project, and was an enlightened man of his time. The monument should retain its place of pride in front of the library. It attracts many, and while Residential Schools are now seen as unjustified, when he participated in their establishment they were voluntary and introduced with the support of many indigenous leaders. We should not be tearing down monuments to such leaders, but remember their good works, while debating how Canada moves forward.

We can debate and, if we look hard enough, find fault with most leaders of that era, including men like John A. and indigenous leaders. But we need to accept that they were people of their time and see them in the context of that period in history, not by current ideal standards.