After its July 5, 2021 motion, Wilmot Township Council decided to do nothing and “let things die down”. The election for the 2022 Council saw three aspirants attempting to return to Council get defeated and a completely new slate of officers elected.
The item most frequently expressed during the campaign was citizens’ discontent at the process used by the 2018 – 2022 Council in contracting a consultant that was perceived as being “biased”, using unsound methods, and a Council by myopically assuming that the issue was an “indigenous” issue rather than recognizing the fundamental problem was a flawed decision-making process. The highly inflamed protests and vandalism on the Township’s property could just as easily have been initiated by any special interest group that had a valid complaint about decisions made at the time of any of the Prime Ministers. Examples might include Chinese who retain a grievance about how Chinese workers had been abused during the construction of the C.P.R. by being placed in the most dangerous situations and then charged a high “head tax” in 1923 to apply for residency in Canada. It could have been Indians from India who arrived on a ship and were turned around and sent back as a result of the “Indian Immigration and Continuous Journey Regulation of 1908”. A boat of Jews fleeing persecution in Nazi Germany was repulsed off B.C. Many Irish citizens were targeted as “Fenians” and abused after a political group of Irish Fenians attacked British North America in a quest to capture British territory here and barter its freedom in return for Ireland’s freedom from British rule. OR how about others subject to perceived prejudice and injury in previous eras such as Sikhs, Muslims, Hindus or ……
Major social issues that persist or reappear in different clothing and statues of Prime ministers are separate. The previous Council did not have the scope of judgment to see the distinction, and thus the need to use a different problem-solving method to address an issue.
Voters gave the new Council of 2022 -2026 a mandate to restart the decision-making process NOT to continue where the previous Council left off.
The following is an excerpt from the Wilmot Council Minutes of January 1, 2024.
“12.2
Councillor K. Wilkinson Regarding the Prime Ministers Path Statues Next Steps
Councillor K. Wilkinson introduced the motion for consideration.
Councillor L. Dunstall provided support for the motion, and further commented on the need for a permanent plan for the statues that engages a complete cross section of the community.
Councillor S. Cressman provided support for the motion, and further commented on the need to establish a facilitated process that allows peoples voices to be heard in a respectful manner.
Councillor S. Martin spoke to the motion and further commented on referendums. Councillor S.Martin asked staff for more information on the process and timeline.
Chief Administrative Officer, S. Chambers provided a response.
An amendment was moved by Councillor S. Martin, seconded by Councillor S. Cressman, THAT Council amend the motion by striking out February 12th and replace with February 26th. The motion carried.
Councillor H. Sidhu spoke in support of the motion and further commented on to the importance of communication with residents.
- Mathers spoke on behalf of Createscape and noted the organizations support for the project.
- Moved by:Councillor K. Wilkinson
Seconded by:Councillor L. Dunstall
WHEREAS in 2020 the Township of Wilmot retained First Peoples Group to assist the Township with a consultation process on the future of the Prime Ministers Path Statues; and,
WHEREAS on July 5, 2021 Wilmot Council received Report CAO-2021-03 Presentation of Findings and Recommendations First Peoples Group Prime Ministers Path Community Engagement recommending:
THAT the report from First Peoples Group dated June 30, 2021, be endorsed,
THAT staff arrange for the immediate removal and temporary storage of the four remaining statues on the Prime Ministers Path and discontinue any future expansion or investment in the Prime Ministers Path as it exists today;
THAT staff work with the Township solicitor to activate the termination clause in the agreement with Createscape;
AND FURTHER, THAT staff be directed to report back to Council with an implementation plan for the incorporation of the remaining recommendations from First Peoples Group, including;
- a) Creating a working group comprised of a balanced representation of the individuals and communities within Wilmot Township to discuss, develop and suggest plans for the implementation of next steps centred in community cohesion and healing.
- b) Commitment to transforming community engagement and consultation processes in Wilmot Township in a way that encourages greater openness, accountability, and citizen participation in decision-making; and further,
WHEREAS on July 5, 2021 Wilmot Council voted in favor of the recommendation contained in Report CAO-2021-03 and temporarily remove and store the Prime Ministers Path Statues;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Staff be directed to report back to Council at the February 26, 2024 Regular Council Meeting on any interim actions taken since the statues were placed in storage;
THEREFORE BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that staff be directed to prepare options on ways to proceed with a permanent plan for the Prime Ministers Path Statues, including information relating to a potential referendum, for Council’s consideration at the February 26, 2024 Regular Council Meeting.
Motion Carried Unanimously”