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.

  • Messing with Canada history

    by cheaper, about 5 years ago
    I would like to complain about your decision to remove McDonald statue. Could you not just put up a plaque stating what he said. I did not realize he had said it. Give ALL people the chance to decide if they want to look at it. HAVE THE COUNCIL OR ANYBODY WHO COMPLAINED ABOUT IT NEVER MADE A MISTAKE. I believe I am having a good day if I make less than 10 mistakes A DAY. Think about it.
    I would like to complain about your decision to remove McDonald statue. Could you not just put up a plaque stating what he said. I did not realize he had said it. Give ALL people the chance to decide if they want to look at it. HAVE THE COUNCIL OR ANYBODY WHO COMPLAINED ABOUT IT NEVER MADE A MISTAKE. I believe I am having a good day if I make less than 10 mistakes A DAY. Think about it.

  • Social Justice and Reconciliation

    by Clara, about 5 years ago
    Canada has a shameful history of oppressing Indigenous peoples. The Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission provides an excellent overview of our true history and recommendations toward reconciliation. In some ways "racism" is so easy for people ("settlers" ) from the non-marginalized population of our society. It is past time for us to honor the Treaties that our ancestors co-signed! Macdonald, Dewdney and many others were people of "their time", yes, but their policies were informed by colonial, racist values..... which are beyond unacceptable today. I am excited about removing from our central gathering places and street and park... Continue reading
    Canada has a shameful history of oppressing Indigenous peoples. The Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission provides an excellent overview of our true history and recommendations toward reconciliation. In some ways "racism" is so easy for people ("settlers" ) from the non-marginalized population of our society. It is past time for us to honor the Treaties that our ancestors co-signed! Macdonald, Dewdney and many others were people of "their time", yes, but their policies were informed by colonial, racist values..... which are beyond unacceptable today. I am excited about removing from our central gathering places and street and park names the memory of such men's legacies. Put "old John" in the Human Rights museum in Winnipeg, with a full explanation of his "legacy".

  • Tell the Whole Story

    by The Full Story, about 5 years ago
    I would like to see MacDonald’s statue on display with other statues of people who played a role in Canada and Saskatchewan’s history, including leaders in First Nations Communities before, during and after the days of white settlement.

    I would also like to see information on display telling our factual history from all sides. There are many groups of people who lived in Canada or came to Canada. They all have important histories to recognize. Along with this, I would like there to be reference to places where more information is available.
    A place for this display could be in... Continue reading

    I would like to see MacDonald’s statue on display with other statues of people who played a role in Canada and Saskatchewan’s history, including leaders in First Nations Communities before, during and after the days of white settlement.

    I would also like to see information on display telling our factual history from all sides. There are many groups of people who lived in Canada or came to Canada. They all have important histories to recognize. Along with this, I would like there to be reference to places where more information is available.
    A place for this display could be in the Legislative Building or somewhere within Wascana Park.
    As an elementary student, I remember our class touring the Legislature as part of our Grade 4 Social Studies course. An exhibit like this could enhance a child’s learning and give them the opportunity to learn the full story from all perspectives.

  • Upset native born of canada

    by Upset native born of Canada, about 5 years ago
    I cannot believe we have come to this ... it is not right to hide the statue... our founding father was only human... he did in my opinion much good as well ... we who were not alive at that time are still being punished for something we had no part of... I feel it’s time to let things go and live in harmony. But this will never happen when we r constantly paying and bending over for things in past we had no part of ... u can’t erase history. Let’s learn from it and go forward not backwards... Continue reading
    I cannot believe we have come to this ... it is not right to hide the statue... our founding father was only human... he did in my opinion much good as well ... we who were not alive at that time are still being punished for something we had no part of... I feel it’s time to let things go and live in harmony. But this will never happen when we r constantly paying and bending over for things in past we had no part of ... u can’t erase history. Let’s learn from it and go forward not backwards removing this statue is going backward ...

  • Shame on the City for this action

    by Angry old lady, about 5 years ago
    We all seem to be into cancel culture today which, while easy to do, will ultimately be harmful. I cannot believe that the city is contemplating removing this statue - OUR FIRST PM!!! We have NO city museum to showcase our heritage, but rely on national institutions to do so (Mackenzie Art Gallery, RCMP Heritage Museum) and a provincial natural history museum. We have little in the way of a city heritage (in spite of saving a few buildings), so sure let's remove statues, makes a huge amount of sense! My big complaint is that history taught in our K-12... Continue reading
    We all seem to be into cancel culture today which, while easy to do, will ultimately be harmful. I cannot believe that the city is contemplating removing this statue - OUR FIRST PM!!! We have NO city museum to showcase our heritage, but rely on national institutions to do so (Mackenzie Art Gallery, RCMP Heritage Museum) and a provincial natural history museum. We have little in the way of a city heritage (in spite of saving a few buildings), so sure let's remove statues, makes a huge amount of sense! My big complaint is that history taught in our K-12 system is in a sorry state and cancel culture is doing nothing more than making it worse.


    Macdonald was faced with several issues during his term which affected the future of Canada, challenges which NO leader today can even contemplate - balancing city budgets through tax and fee increases is easy compared to what Macdonald and his government was facing. Two of those issues intersected. One was the continuing threat from the US regarding manifest destiny which put the sparsely populated western lands at risk of easily being taken over by the US. And what to do with groups of nomadic indigenous people who were frankly living in the 15th century (get over it - as much as you can value the survival skills of the indigenous people their future was doomed if they could not make a transition to the 19th/20th century). How to ensure they had a future in the Canada Macdonald was building and to counter the excursions of the US into western Canada? Part of this was resolved by sending the NWMP to the west and the national railroad. The other part was through commissioning Davin to examine options to educating/training the indigenous people of the NWT to bring them forward to at least the 19th century; efforts which would ultimately lead to settlement of indigenous people. Have you read the Davin report? Both he and Macdonald have been blamed for residential schools, but that is NOT what Davin recommended. Furthermore tribal leaders were keen to provide their people with an education - those leaders understood the future better than people in 2021.


    No one can say that residential schools were a resounding success, although it is now politically incorrect to point out that many indigenous people did receive an acceptable education on par with education standards for the day. Anyone going to public school on the prairies even as late as the 1950/60s went through many of the same abuses as those in residential schools.


    But the bigger issue with cancel culture is that it will hit everyone at some point and NO ONE will want to contribute anything to their community for fear that 10, 15, 20 years later it will be examined through a new progressive lens and dismissed because it was not perfect in the eyes of those judging actions 20 years earlier, THAT does not build communities, I accept the good and the bad and try not to judge something from 150 years ago by the standard of today (not that the standards of today are anything wonderful)

  • More harm than good

    by Neato, about 5 years ago

    Keeping the Macdonald statue in Victoria Park alienates the people that were hurt most by his policies. If the city of Regina claims to care about and respect the Indigenous people in the community, then it makes sense to remove the statue from its place of intended celebration and put it somewhere else. Personally, I think the RCMP heritage centre would be a great fit, and people can take the time there to learn about the good AND bad that the man did in his time, as well as the good and bad things the RCMP have done. Win-win.

    This... Continue reading

    Keeping the Macdonald statue in Victoria Park alienates the people that were hurt most by his policies. If the city of Regina claims to care about and respect the Indigenous people in the community, then it makes sense to remove the statue from its place of intended celebration and put it somewhere else. Personally, I think the RCMP heritage centre would be a great fit, and people can take the time there to learn about the good AND bad that the man did in his time, as well as the good and bad things the RCMP have done. Win-win.

    This is not the time to glorify an old, white, racist, dead man. There are people that have shared their thoughts on this issue that say that "without history you have no past" or whatever. To think there isn't enough written about the first prime minister of an entire country! This is the time to celebrate the diversity Regina is so proud to offer. The removal of the Macdonald statue is an amazing opportunity for the city to have Indigenous artists create something for that space! History needs more perspectives. I believe Regina can offer one that is unique and beautiful.

  • Move it to a museum

    by LJ in SK, about 5 years ago

    Whether we acknowledge it or not, a statue in a prominent public place honours the person, what they have done, and what they represent. It's a symbol of pride in this person.

    I for one, do not want to honour this man. We can all agree that he had a significant role in forming this country and also in significantly damaging the lives of its Indigenous peoples for generations. It's a complicated legacy and history which cannot be properly addressed with a plaque at the bottom of a statue.

    In school, most of us were not taught the harmful things... Continue reading

    Whether we acknowledge it or not, a statue in a prominent public place honours the person, what they have done, and what they represent. It's a symbol of pride in this person.

    I for one, do not want to honour this man. We can all agree that he had a significant role in forming this country and also in significantly damaging the lives of its Indigenous peoples for generations. It's a complicated legacy and history which cannot be properly addressed with a plaque at the bottom of a statue.

    In school, most of us were not taught the harmful things he did, only the sunny version that leaves out Indigenous peoples' experiences. We need to do better at acknowledging the full story, and I believe that can begin by placing this statue in a museum. It can then be placed in exhibit where people can learn about the full picture and include the perspective of elders, residential school survivors, and Indigenous leaders along with the perspective of white settlers.

    We can use this as a learning opportunity to better educate the public and future generations about the history of this man and his legacy.

    I think consulting the public was a good idea by the city and that that conversation should continue for what we replace the statue with. My suggestion is to commission a new piece of art/statue that honours the history of Saskatchewan in a more inclusive manner.

  • What if ?

    by Escape , about 5 years ago
    What if we cancel everything about a person that has had a negative impact on civilization? Regardless of how much good or bad they have contributed. One day in the not so distant future all our lives will be on display for the whole world to see. e.g. every comment you’ve ever made on any website or app, your search history, recording of what you’ve said in the privacy of your own home, jokes and conversations you’ve had in private while your cellphone is active, the kind of music you listen to that may or not degrade a race or... Continue reading
    What if we cancel everything about a person that has had a negative impact on civilization? Regardless of how much good or bad they have contributed. One day in the not so distant future all our lives will be on display for the whole world to see. e.g. every comment you’ve ever made on any website or app, your search history, recording of what you’ve said in the privacy of your own home, jokes and conversations you’ve had in private while your cellphone is active, the kind of music you listen to that may or not degrade a race or sex, the kind of movies or literature you watch and read.


    I know you think this will never happen, maybe so but who know in 20 years? 50 years? 500 years ?

    Then not only the info that can be collected about you, but everyone in your family and friends. Will what your family and friends do start affecting you personally on getting a job or finding love?

    One day, our lives will be an open book, how do you think you’ll be judged ?

    I hope this never happens but who really knows ? Maybe it will be all done in the name of security and safety of the civilization at that time.

    I’d be careful on how we move forward on canceling our culture or history from everything or holding people accountable on what they said or wrote 30 years ago.

    I don’t have the answer, just something to think about.

    Thank you


  • An Agenda

    by Rodney Littlecrow, about 5 years ago

    This country has a history and we cannot just try and forget it. Taking down this statue is a statement but not what we are meant to think. As a native person I understand racism, but there are much more important things to work on. Let this statue stay where it is but let us understand more clearly what the first Prime Minister did. Good and bad. We are just letting an American social movement take over our country, letting them control our future.


    The removal of this statue is not for Canadian Native people to feel empowered, I surely... Continue reading

    This country has a history and we cannot just try and forget it. Taking down this statue is a statement but not what we are meant to think. As a native person I understand racism, but there are much more important things to work on. Let this statue stay where it is but let us understand more clearly what the first Prime Minister did. Good and bad. We are just letting an American social movement take over our country, letting them control our future.


    The removal of this statue is not for Canadian Native people to feel empowered, I surely do not feel that way. This is part of an agenda across North America to strip away history. True healing means understanding where we came from to never go there again. Not to forget it so we go full circle and end up where we came from, which I believe this movement is trying to to.

  • History

    by Commonsense , about 5 years ago
    Without history you have no past. People, like societies, culture, civilizations grow. This growth can be for good and bad. Each individual, or above entity, can grow good and bad traits, and conditions. You are better off to celebrate successes and learn from mistakes, then to just erase the whole entity. There is no perfect modern person, just as there were no perfect people in the past. Stop the insanity of cancel culture. Learn from past mistakes.
    Without history you have no past. People, like societies, culture, civilizations grow. This growth can be for good and bad. Each individual, or above entity, can grow good and bad traits, and conditions. You are better off to celebrate successes and learn from mistakes, then to just erase the whole entity. There is no perfect modern person, just as there were no perfect people in the past. Stop the insanity of cancel culture. Learn from past mistakes.