Four statues honoring former Canadian leaders were unveiled at the Prime Minister’s Path project in Wilmot, Ont., sparking mixed reactions. The project, overseen by Createscape Waterloo Region, hosted the event in collaboration with Wilmot Township at a municipal park near Castle Kilbride in Baden, a small town west of Kitchener.
Don Bourgeois, the board chair and president of Createscape Waterloo Region, expressed satisfaction with the project’s revival. He emphasized the project’s goal of creating public art that evokes emotional connections and stimulates discussions on Canada’s past, future, and the essence of art.
The new additions to the project feature statues of Sir John Abbott, Sir John Thompson, Sir Mackenzie Bowell, and Sir Charles Tupper, joining existing statues of notable figures like Sir John A. Macdonald and Lester B. Pearson. Despite the celebratory event, around a dozen protesters voiced concerns, criticizing the project as insensitive and poorly planned.
The Prime Ministers Path project, initially proposed in 2013 to commemorate Canada’s 150th anniversary, faced challenges from the outset. After being rejected by Kitchener councillors and Wilfrid Laurier University in 2014 and 2016, respectively, the statues finally found their home at Castle Kilbride in Baden in the same year.
Following public outcry in 2020 over Sir John A. Macdonald’s statue, which led to the project’s cancellation by the township council in 2021, the statues were removed. However, last April, the Wilmot council voted to proceed with the project, granting Createscape Waterloo Region custody of the statues and securing a 20-year agreement for their display in municipal parkland.
The revitalized project now includes an educational component, with the Six Nations of the Grand River actively participating. Despite these efforts, protesters like Benny Skinner continue to criticize the project for its alleged insensitivity and lack of consultation with Indigenous communities.
Acknowledging past missteps, Bourgeois assured that Indigenous perspectives are now integral to the project’s direction. Sculptor Nathan Scott, who crafted the latest statues, emphasized the importance of embracing all facets of Canadian history, even the challenging aspects.
Looking ahead, the project aims to complete the remaining 13 statues, with a focus on educational initiatives and historical symposia. However, the project will not feature figures like Justin Trudeau and Mark Carney to maintain a non-political stance.