Important historical figures targeted for tarnished past
He was the “Father of Confederation” and fought years of very hard political battles to create Canada.
But now there’s a stain on his name. Sir John A Macdonald has in the past few years been targeted for his role in creating the tragic “residential school system”. This has since been classed as a form of cultural genocide against indigenous people in Canada.
In just the latest move, a popular pub in Kingston Ontario has decided to change its name. Sir John’s Public House was so named as it’s located in the actual former law offices of Canada’s founder who practised there from 1849 to 1860, Going forward it will be simply, “the Public House”.
Owner Paul Fortier said the change is in reaction to complaints by some customers including local indigenous people.
He said they will still be glad to talk about the building and a bust of Macdonald inside will remain, but the name was removed to make it a “safe” place for all customers.
- RCI-Nov 2017, vandals strike on Remembrance Day (Macdonald)
- RCI: July 2017: Cornwallis stature vandalised
- RCI- Aug 2017: effort to remove historical figures
- RCI: Dec 11/17: residential schools explained
The move to remove names and statues from public buildings in Canada has mostly been in connection with historical figures relations with indigenous peoples.
Besides Macdonald, other important historical names now deemed tarnished include former minister of public works, and one of the founders of Confederation Sir Hector-Louis Langevin; Edward Cornwallis –founder of Halifax, and Egerton Ryerson, one of the country’s earliest and most influential educators.
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