John A. Macdonald Legacy Review

Consultation has concluded

Please see the Legacy Review page on Regina.ca for updates on this project

As a community, we learn through the diverse experiences and perspectives that are our shared history.


The City of Regina invites you to join a community conversation on the legacy of Sir John A. Macdonald. The intent is to foster understanding and telling a complete story of Macdonald’s legacy, both his contributions to Canada as prime minister and founder of Confederation as well as the harmful impact his policies have had on Indigenous peoples and other ethno-cultural communities.

These conversations follow City Council’s decision on March 31, 2021 to relocate the Macdonald statue from Victoria Park. The statue is currently in secure storage in a City facility while consultation activities continue and Administration works with partners to identify options for a new location. A progress report on this work will be considered by City Council in spring 2022..

Since initiating a legacy review of the statue in June 2020, City staff have met with First Nations and Métis Knowledge Keepers, as well as Indigenous artists, curators and academics to seek guidance on how the statue can support a more complete story of the impact of Macdonald’s policies upon First Nations and Métis peoples and other ethno-cultural communities. .

While many historical texts document the negative impact of the Macdonald government’s policies on Indigenous and other ethno-cultural communities, many participants shared how these policies are still impacting them and their families today. For some, the statue is a regular reminder of colonial policies that relocated and restricted the movement of Indigenous Peoples, left their ancestors weaker and more prone to disease, and created residential and day schools.

Telling the full story is an important part of the City’s responsibilities as an institution engaged in Truth and Reconciliation. Moving forward, the City is considering programming and other resources to support increased understanding of Macdonald’s legacy.

We invite residents impacted by Macdonald’s legacy to use this online community to share their stories and the stories of their families. Through this, we hope to relearn a more inclusive history the experiences of Regina’s people.

Please see the Legacy Review page on Regina.ca for updates on this project

As a community, we learn through the diverse experiences and perspectives that are our shared history.


The City of Regina invites you to join a community conversation on the legacy of Sir John A. Macdonald. The intent is to foster understanding and telling a complete story of Macdonald’s legacy, both his contributions to Canada as prime minister and founder of Confederation as well as the harmful impact his policies have had on Indigenous peoples and other ethno-cultural communities.

These conversations follow City Council’s decision on March 31, 2021 to relocate the Macdonald statue from Victoria Park. The statue is currently in secure storage in a City facility while consultation activities continue and Administration works with partners to identify options for a new location. A progress report on this work will be considered by City Council in spring 2022..

Since initiating a legacy review of the statue in June 2020, City staff have met with First Nations and Métis Knowledge Keepers, as well as Indigenous artists, curators and academics to seek guidance on how the statue can support a more complete story of the impact of Macdonald’s policies upon First Nations and Métis peoples and other ethno-cultural communities. .

While many historical texts document the negative impact of the Macdonald government’s policies on Indigenous and other ethno-cultural communities, many participants shared how these policies are still impacting them and their families today. For some, the statue is a regular reminder of colonial policies that relocated and restricted the movement of Indigenous Peoples, left their ancestors weaker and more prone to disease, and created residential and day schools.

Telling the full story is an important part of the City’s responsibilities as an institution engaged in Truth and Reconciliation. Moving forward, the City is considering programming and other resources to support increased understanding of Macdonald’s legacy.

We invite residents impacted by Macdonald’s legacy to use this online community to share their stories and the stories of their families. Through this, we hope to relearn a more inclusive history the experiences of Regina’s people.

Share your story

What’s your story? We are especially interested to hear the stories that are unique to you and your experience. If you don’t have a story, you can also share your thoughts and ideas about local history and other issues or ideas that might be worth exploring. You can also upload photos, videos and insert links. 

We want this to be a safe space for everyone to share thoughts, feelings and opinions. Words are powerful, so please make sure yours are respectful to all. By sharing, you are helping to foster a community conversation that can give us all a better understanding of our collective history.

Thank you for sharing your story with us.
CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

  • Get rid of the statue!

    by SheilaM, over 5 years ago
    John A McDonald was a colonialist,he did nothing to empower First Nation and Metis people. His policies we're racist and Indigenous people are still having to live with the legacy. Please get rid of this statue. Also, don't make the survey so difficult to participate in. I don't believe we would have to sign up for a City of Regina account to actually voice our opinions.
    John A McDonald was a colonialist,he did nothing to empower First Nation and Metis people. His policies we're racist and Indigenous people are still having to live with the legacy. Please get rid of this statue. Also, don't make the survey so difficult to participate in. I don't believe we would have to sign up for a City of Regina account to actually voice our opinions.

  • JAM has contributed to decades of bad relationships between First Peoples and settlers

    by Alliston, over 5 years ago
    As a settler / settler descendant / Treaty person of white European ancestry I know we cannot live on this land in peace while the attempted genocide of First People's is memorialized in the figure of Canada's first prime minister. That statue has no place in a pubic park.
    As a settler / settler descendant / Treaty person of white European ancestry I know we cannot live on this land in peace while the attempted genocide of First People's is memorialized in the figure of Canada's first prime minister. That statue has no place in a pubic park.

  • symbol of our values

    by GSAllen, over 5 years ago
    Public art is a society's expression of its values and priorities, especially when commemmorating particular people or historic events. Sir John A. Macdonald was an important historical figure, but only one of many that could be honoured with a public statue. At a time when Canada was celebrating the centenary of its founding, it made some sense to honor JAM and his pivotal role in the development of this nation. That was then; this is now. Canadian values and ideals have shifted in the interm. We are trying to be more inclusive and no longer struggling as hard with the... Continue reading
    Public art is a society's expression of its values and priorities, especially when commemmorating particular people or historic events. Sir John A. Macdonald was an important historical figure, but only one of many that could be honoured with a public statue. At a time when Canada was celebrating the centenary of its founding, it made some sense to honor JAM and his pivotal role in the development of this nation. That was then; this is now. Canadian values and ideals have shifted in the interm. We are trying to be more inclusive and no longer struggling as hard with the question of what does it mean to be "Canadian" as we were a couple of generations ago. The harm JAM did to the Indigenous Peoples of this land cannot be ignored and should not be celebrated. We have new priorities now. Let's find a way to celebrate those instead!


    If the sculpture had more artistic merit I would recommend it be put in a gallery or museum where it could be appreciated as a piece of art. Unfortunately, it's not even an attractive statue. Maybe it could go live with other relics of confederation like the table in the Legislature's library? It certainly doesn't need a public place of prominence in our city. We are not our colonial past. We are more thoughtful than that!


  • Fear God and keep his commandments. This is the whole duty of mankind.

    by LBergen, over 5 years ago

    **The Fool has said in his heart there is no God.

    Psalm 14: The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.


    ** The Creator is the Ultimate Authority above the government. They must give account to God for how they do right or wrong by his people.

    Psalm 90:2 Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.


    ** God said not to remove the ancient landmarks that... Continue reading

    **The Fool has said in his heart there is no God.

    Psalm 14: The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.


    ** The Creator is the Ultimate Authority above the government. They must give account to God for how they do right or wrong by his people.

    Psalm 90:2 Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.


    ** God said not to remove the ancient landmarks that our fathers set up.

    Proverbs 22:28 Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set.

    Proverbs 23:10-12 Remove not the old landmark: and enter not into the fields of the fatherless: For their redeemer is mighty; he shall plead their cause with thee. Apply thine heart unto instruction, and thine ears to the words of knowledge.


    ** What is done by Government concerning a nation or community Has serious consequences.

    Hebrews 10:31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.


    ** " Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

    For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil. Ecclesiastes 12:13-14


    ** White throne Judgment:

    Revelation 20:12-15

    And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

    And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.

    And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

    And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.



  • Stop Glorifying Genocide

    by Stoem, over 5 years ago

    JAM was an architect of genocide. He oversaw the building of residential schools, and approved policies which lead directly to the kidnapping, abuse, and death of Indigenous children.

    He deliberately starved Indigenous people, leading to illness & death.

    He should not be celebrated, put on some pedestal, or glorified in any way.

    He should be spoken of with the same disgust as any mass murderer, any tyrant, anyone heading a government that deliberately & wilfully killed people.

    His name should be a curse, & we should spit on the ground when we hear it.

    JAM was an architect of genocide. He oversaw the building of residential schools, and approved policies which lead directly to the kidnapping, abuse, and death of Indigenous children.

    He deliberately starved Indigenous people, leading to illness & death.

    He should not be celebrated, put on some pedestal, or glorified in any way.

    He should be spoken of with the same disgust as any mass murderer, any tyrant, anyone heading a government that deliberately & wilfully killed people.

    His name should be a curse, & we should spit on the ground when we hear it.

  • History Should Be Truthful

    by sstelmaschuk, over 5 years ago

    While there is no doubt that Macdonald played his role in the Confederation of Canada and oversaw many developments in his role as our first Prime Minister, it is beyond harmful to attempt to only focus on the 'positives' of his role in history while trying to deny the harm that he had done at the same time.


    Lord Protector Oliver Cromwell, who himself stands as a controversial figure for his harsh policies towards the Irish during his reign, is often quoted that when he had his portrait done he wanted the painter to paint him 'warts and all'. Macdonald... Continue reading

    While there is no doubt that Macdonald played his role in the Confederation of Canada and oversaw many developments in his role as our first Prime Minister, it is beyond harmful to attempt to only focus on the 'positives' of his role in history while trying to deny the harm that he had done at the same time.


    Lord Protector Oliver Cromwell, who himself stands as a controversial figure for his harsh policies towards the Irish during his reign, is often quoted that when he had his portrait done he wanted the painter to paint him 'warts and all'. Macdonald, and indeed all of our historical figures, must be painted with the same brush. This is not historical revisionism; it is not 'cancel culture'; it is not applying modern standards to historical actions.

    It is about accuracy. It is about ensuring that we avoid a pratfall of creating a glorified mythology of our past. We should be able to acknowledge that for the good that was achieved by an individual, you must also acknowledge the ills and evils that they committed as well. This is not 'character assassination', it is fact.

    The simple fact is that Macdonald's legacy towards Indigenous people is downright shocking, shameful, and should be a significant mark on his historical standing. There can be no doubt, when looking at his own words and actions, that he undertook a willing action in a systemic attempt to destroy the culture, traditions, and very essence of the Indigenous people who called this land home prior to colonization.

    And while these actions and their harm cannot ever be undone, we can strive to do better by acknowledging this part of Macdonald's Legacy and vowing to learn from it as we move forward into the future. The statue is not just a statue; it is a symbol. But it does not symbolize Macdonald's Legacy or place in history; instead, it symbolizes our continued refusal to acknowledge the pain and harm caused historically, and indeed even to this day, in this country.

    Then let us replace this symbol with a new one; an action of hope and healing that shows we are committed to learning from the mistakes of the past and pledged to working together to build something better into the future. Taking this statue down can be that symbol and a step on our road to actual Reconciliation.

  • History belongs in the text books

    by Ret, over 5 years ago
    This is such an incredibly simple issue. The statue causes Indigenous peoples pain and forces them to relive their trauma. Some white folks have confused statues as places to learn about history. I majored in social studies at the UofR and can tell you that not once did I use a statue as a source for learning. We have libraries, schools, and museums for this exact reason.


    If our city is serious about following its commitment to Truth and Reconciliation, they will take down the statue. This is an excellent first step to show commitment to the TRC and excellent... Continue reading

    This is such an incredibly simple issue. The statue causes Indigenous peoples pain and forces them to relive their trauma. Some white folks have confused statues as places to learn about history. I majored in social studies at the UofR and can tell you that not once did I use a statue as a source for learning. We have libraries, schools, and museums for this exact reason.


    If our city is serious about following its commitment to Truth and Reconciliation, they will take down the statue. This is an excellent first step to show commitment to the TRC and excellent practice of decolonizing our city.

    Macdonald lied, cheated, and screwed over most folks while in office. The statue came up past his time and it now creates a false narrative of our history. His statue does more to rewrite and erase history by immortalizing him as a man to be remembered and recognized. Taking it down will acknowledge the harm he has done. Leaving it up will all the harm to continue.

  • Tear down the statues

    by Angus MacDonald, over 5 years ago
    This was not a man worthy of admiration and deserves no pedestal.


    His legacy and historical context can be taught in museums, history books and classrooms. He is not someone to be looked up to, figuratively or literally.


    We've done better and can do better.


    Whether it's an empty pedestal, an exemplary Canadian or art not specific to an individual, we have options. Melt that statue down, it doesn't belong anywhere.

    This was not a man worthy of admiration and deserves no pedestal.


    His legacy and historical context can be taught in museums, history books and classrooms. He is not someone to be looked up to, figuratively or literally.


    We've done better and can do better.


    Whether it's an empty pedestal, an exemplary Canadian or art not specific to an individual, we have options. Melt that statue down, it doesn't belong anywhere.