Orillia calls on feds to return controversial Champlain monument

After years in Parks Canada’s possession, Orillia city council has called for the Samuel de Champlain statue to be returned to the city’s control.

Mayor Don McIsaac and Coun. Jeff Czetwerzuk brought the request forward at Monday’s council meeting, winning their peers’ support to request the statue’s return to the city.

“I spent a lot of time at the park this summer, and having conversations with people, there's been a lot more questions than answers,” Czetwerzuk said. “If we get ownership back of the statue, it does not mean it’ll be going back at all, or even in its current form – what it means is we begin to have these conversations, figure out what might be the right way forward.”

In September, city council requested the return of the monument land to the city, which is also under Parks Canada’s control.

The monument has proven controversial since it was removed in 2017 for cleaning and repairs, and it has remained with Parks Canada since. That controversy intensified when Parks Canada announced a reconfigured monument would return.

Speaking against the idea, Coun. Janet-Lynne Durnford highlighted the need for decisions to be made with Indigenous partners in mind.

“I think that any discussion of the potential to return the monument, or any portions of it must be done in the broader context of reconciliation, and I think that that should and could be done before we reacquire the monument,” she said, adding the city does not have a plan to store the monument.

Coun. Ralph Cipolla suggested creating a working group to consult with Indigenous peoples on the monument’s future.

“I think (it) might be appropriate to also ask for a working group to see how we could work with our Aboriginal friends to make sure that it's the right way to do it,” he said. “I totally support your request here, but I think it's going to take a little bit more time for us to come up with some kind of arrangement with our Aboriginal friends.”

Despite concerns raised by a few members of council, the motion to request the monument’s return to the city passed.

“I think it's worth at least putting the request through to see that we can get it back, because they might say no and we’re delayed another several years,” said Coun. Whitney Smith.