Statues located on the grounds of the Ontario Legislature will be covered in protective wrapping to prevent vandalism ahead of anticipated protests at Queen’s Park this spring.
This decision follows an incident where $5,000 worth of damage was inflicted on the George Brown monument during a protest on March 4 regarding changes to post-secondary funding, as stated by House Speaker Donna Skelly.
Skelly mentioned that the sergeant-at-arms, responsible for security at the legislature, suggested implementing additional protection before what are expected to be more demonstrations.
“This is a proactive move to prevent any further damage if protestors do break the law and apply any graffiti to anything on the grounds,” she said.
In the coming days, staff will wrap all eight statues situated on the legislature grounds. This protection will be ready before the start of next week’s legislative session.
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“As long as we have protestors who may be breaking the law, I’m assuming they will continue to wrap the statues,” Skelly noted, adding that these wraps are seen as a “short-term measure.”
“I don’t know if there is a cost to wrapping the statues, but I can tell you there is a cost to cleaning the statues,” Skelly stated. “It was $5,000. If you multiply that by eight, it’s just money that taxpayers shouldn’t have to spend.”
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The George Brown monument at Queen’s Park was wrapped by staff after it was vandalized during a protest on March 4. It took workers days to clean up after it. (Lorenda Reddekopp/ )
Skelly expressed hope for peaceful protests at Queen’s Park this spring.
“We just want to make sure that our property is protected; more importantly, we want everyone who works here and anyone visiting Queen’s Park is safe,” she said.
The Premier Doug Ford remarked that protesters are welcome “to do cartwheels or jump up and down” outside Queen’s Park as long as no one damages statues during unrelated comments he made at a news conference Wednesday.
He criticized how necessary it has become for protective wrappings around statues.
“It’s ridiculous” that it has come down this path concerning statue protection.
Ford indicated he had spoken with Skelly about this matter earlier in morning warnings given out regarding potential charges against those vandalizing “the taxpayer’s property.”
Brown played an integral role in Confederation and co-founded what eventually became Globe and Mail newspaper.
This new decision means once again covering part or all of former prime minister Sir John A. Macdonald statue temporarily.
The Macdonald statue located at foot legislative grounds along University Avenue first received cover-up in 2020 following demonstrators throwing pink paint due wave protests nationally aimed towards Macdonald amidst reflection concerning history surrounding residential schools.
An all-party committee within Queen’s Park voted last summer allowing removal hoarding around mentioned statue once again.
“Violence and acts of vandalism will not be tolerated; Legislative Protective Service actively monitor both statute itself along entire grounds,” Skelly announced previously last July.
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Opposition parties back students protesting OSAP cuts
A number of opposition parties showed their support for hundreds of student protesters who marched through Toronto on Wednesday, hoping to reverse Doug Ford’s cuts to the Ontario Student Assistance Program. Queens Park reporter Lorenda Reddekopp provides details.
“As long as we have protestors who may be breaking the law, I’m assuming they will continue to wrap the statues,” Skelly noted, adding that these wraps are seen as a “short-term measure.”
“I don’t know if there is a cost to wrapping the statues, but I can tell you there is a cost to cleaning the statues,” Skelly stated. “It was $5,000. If you multiply that by eight, it’s just money that taxpayers shouldn’t have to spend.”
Protest respectfully: speaker advises
This month earlier, hundreds of students gathered outside of the legislature protesting recent adjustments made to the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP). The financial aid system for post-secondary education will shift from being mostly grants to primarily loans in the upcoming school year. Certain protestors defaced the Brown statue with bright pink paint while criticizing Premier Doug Ford. “People are welcome to come here to Queen’s Park,” Skelly emphasized. “This is where you come to express your opinion and protest, but you have to follow the rules. You cannot break the law.” A 22-year-old man faced charges for mischief under $5,000 after allegedly vandalizing Brown’s monument. Police claimed they caught him during his act and when they attempted an arrest, another individual spat on an officer. That person was charged with assault.No clear motive behind targeting Brown statue
The reasons behind why some protestors chose specifically target Brown’s statue remain unclear; it stands right outside main doors of legislature.Brown played an integral role in Confederation and co-founded what eventually became Globe and Mail newspaper.
This new decision means once again covering part or all of former prime minister Sir John A. Macdonald statue temporarily.
The Macdonald statue located at foot legislative grounds along University Avenue first received cover-up in 2020 following demonstrators throwing pink paint due wave protests nationally aimed towards Macdonald amidst reflection concerning history surrounding residential schools.
An all-party committee within Queen’s Park voted last summer allowing removal hoarding around mentioned statue once again.
“Violence and acts of vandalism will not be tolerated; Legislative Protective Service actively monitor both statute itself along entire grounds,” Skelly announced previously last July.
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