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.

  • TWO TRUTHS

    by Jiggs, almost 3 years ago
    I think the statue should be reset in a respectful neutral place with a commemorative plaque entitled:


    “TWO TRUTHS”

    My view is that history shouldn’t be erased but neither should it be one sided, incomplete nor incorrect. There is usually two sides to every story and each person’s truth depends on their own particular history, situation and experience. Just because they are different doesn’t necessarily made one side or the other wrong.
    Have this particular two sided story written by recognized historians for both viewpoints and post both these (equal length) true versions side by side on the statue so... Continue reading

  • Learning the story

    by Learning as I go, about 3 years ago
    We have an opportunity to continually add to and share the story of what took place. Sir John A. MacDonald's statue should remain so that we can learn what he did for this country, both the good and the bad. Without his actions those of us who call Canada home would not have a safe place to live, learn and grow. We should not hid his statue or his story, we learn noting if we do. But if we wear the truth boldly we can learn.

  • There is more to the history

    by Chucklez, about 3 years ago
    Settlers were lured to the prairies by advertisements in Great Britain (at the time English settlers were preferred) which depicted farming on the prairies as a way to get rich. No mention was made of the way the indigenous people were moved off the land into reservations. Luring settlers to come to the prairies was one of Prime Minister Macdonald's policies to prevent the Americans from taking over the prairies. Many settlers suffered from the harsh conditions on the prairies and lost their homesteads, their investments and their health. Those who persisted, or were lucky, were able to make comfortable... Continue reading

  • History does not equal statues

    by JR, over 3 years ago
    Statues are meant to commemorate, memorialize and idolize individuals, not teach populations about history. In today's society John A is not to be commemorated, memorialized or idolized. Remove the statue and don't listen to the ignorant masses who most likely only learned history from one class in high school 30 or more years ago.

  • No John A, No Canada

    by Peter Rich, over 3 years ago
    The Sir John A statue should be restored in a public location in the city. Signage should be updated about the good and bad of his legacy but as the founder of this country he deserves a statue in Regina.

  • Governments fail again!

    by MikeMahogany, over 3 years ago

    In my opinion when the issue surfaced around the residential school graves near Kamloops BC, governments at all levels had an opportunity to contact First Nation and Métis leaders to humbly ask in a respectful way how to best address this situation that would be acceptable to the aboriginal peoples.

    They didn’t and now wonder why there’s been a huge black lash!

    Now they want to discuss things with them.


    I applaud the fact their making an effort to engage with aboriginal groups, but government continues to forget to do this before or at the time of the issue, despite... Continue reading

  • Let's embrace the educational opportunity

    by RJ, over 3 years ago

    Without disrespecting the people who have suffered because of his policies; this statue, in the prominent Victoria Park location provides a great learning opportunity in a highly visible location that is visited by people of all cultures and all ages. We simply need to update the signage surrounding him. It should include the good and emphasize the bad. Let's re-tell the story to show us the whole truth. What a great opportunity and location for education!!

  • Disgusting

    by Proud Canadian , over 3 years ago
    It’s absolutely disgusting that these events are taking place. We are removing great figures of Canadian history.


    God save the Queen

  • RECOGNIZE HISTORY FOR WHAT IT WAS

    by Larry, over 3 years ago
    Developing a Nation is a massive task. Although the leadership style of 100 years ago was not as acceptable as currently there must have been massive obstacles to developing this country. The initial centre of government was East of Winnipeg and they had their own issues and were not apparently as supportive of the challenges of developing the West. Movement and communication was light years away from current situations. One would think federal governing would be (or seen to be) almost perfect by the citizens today. Currently all kinds of issues and alienation are perceived by Westerners!

    Bottom line Mr... Continue reading

  • Stew Fettes

    by Stew Fettes, over 3 years ago
    Sir John A Macdonald statue should be placed on the Provincial Legislature grounds near the statue of Queen Elizabeth the current Royal Monarchy. Canada was totally under the control of the British Empire and Royal Monarchy when Sir John A. Macdonald was elected. This is a part of Canada's history good or bad, and must be preserved so that it never happens again.