If Orillia's statue of Samuel de Champlain is due to be melted down, then the Conservative Party should lead the opposition to its destruction, argues Geoff Russ in a recent commentary.
Orillia's statue saga continues
In 2017, Champlain's statue was first removed, starting a nearly decade-long process of reconciliation measures, modifications, delays, and vetoes. On May 21, Orillia mayor Tom McIsaac ordered that Champlain's statue be returned to its plinth in Couchiching Beach Park. Shortly after the latest return, Orillia's city council voted 6-3 on May 29 to remove it once again and place it in "neutral" storage. McIsaac warned that it could be melted into a large lump of bronze.
The idea of "neutral" storage is ridiculous, according to Russ. Dumping a towering figure of Canadian history into a musty basement is not a neutral statement in any way.
Quebec politicians take notice
Politicians and media in Quebec have certainly noticed the farce in neighbouring Ontario, with MPs from the Bloc Québécois and the province's media decrying the assault on the Father of New France, and explorer of the land that would become Orillia and Simcoe Country.
Culture war cannot be ignored
There are many on the Canadian right who are still skeptical about expending time and resources on the culture war. Like it or not, the culture war is going to be fought by the left. Standing by and doing effectively nothing as they rewrite history cedes the whole ground to them. In turn, handing them this cultural cache without a fight only enriches the left's legitimacy and power in the eyes of Canadians, just like any other dominant storyteller.
Champlain's importance to Canada
Champlain's importance to this country cannot be overstated. Through great personal effort and loss, he secured a foothold in what became Canada by founding Quebec City in 1608. He crossed the Atlantic Ocean 27 times, explored six future provinces, and five American states.
On July 1, 1867, the Dominion of Canada came into existence, but that could not have happened without Champlain and New France. Committing to a sustained effort to champion Champlain should be an obvious summer move for Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre.
Poilievre's previous defense of history
Throughout his time heading the party, Poilievre has repeatedly defended Sir John A. Macdonald, promising to "reinstate Sir John A, his statues, and his name" and to stop the war on Canadian history.
Defending Macdonald alone is not enough, for our history is not a one-man cult. Canada has a full pantheon of heroes, and they should not be in museum basements or dingy storage facilities. Poilievre's Quebec lieutenant Pierre Paul-Hus publicly denounced Orillia's decision, promising that Conservatives would honour those who built Quebec.
