CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

Understanding History Helps Us Move Forward

The statue recognizes Sir John A. McDonald as a key architect of Confederation. He must be understood in the context of the 19th century. The statue should remain to acknowledge his contribution towards the creation of Canada. At the same time, we must recognize and highlight his failings in his treatment of Indigenous people.

Take it down now.

Historical figures like Sir John A. Macdonald should not be celebrated. This statue commemorates someone who was personally responsible for the genocide of thousands of Indigenous people. Take it down now. It is an offensive affront to the Indigenous survivors who are our neighbours (forced onto reserve and off their traditional territory by The Indian Act). He created the Indian Act which he stated was to force ‘Indian’ people to assimilate into settler culture and renounce their heritage and rights. It was the basis on which residential schools were instituted, stripped Indigenous women of their status rights, and continues to…

Our past is our shame

Let's just admit it, most of our ancestor's mine included were "given" land by the King of England after the American Revolution and we call ourselves United Empire Loyalists for this reason. We flourished in this land, land taken from the native inhabitants, and continue to this day. Honesty around what we did to the native people of this continent hasn't been a strong point of White society until very recent times. I'm 64 years old, completed my secondary education here in the Belleville area, and moved on. History, Canadian history was an important subject taught those many years ago…

Consultation has concluded