A new nation-wide poll by Leger and the Association for Canadian Studies shows that Canadians would like to see statues of historical figures like Sir John A Macdonald remain standing.
Out of those polled, 50% of respondents said that they want historical statues to remain standing, while only 31% would like for them to be toppled.
The poll was conducted ahead of several high profile acts of vandalism committed against historical figures by anti-racism activists.
A statue of Canada’s first prime minister was toppled and beheaded by protesters in Montreal last month.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau addressed the vandalism incident during a press conference saying that he was “deeply disappointed” by the protesters’ actions.
“We are a country of laws, and we are a country that needs to respect those laws even as we seek to improve and change them,” Trudeau said.
“Those kinds of acts of vandalism are not advancing the path towards greater justice and equality in this country.”
Several days later, Ontario’s Wilmot Township quietly removed a statue of the founder of Canada in Baden and shipped it off to an undisclosed storage location citing a need for “reconciliation” with Canada’s Indigenous community.
“The statue will remain in the secured storage until all consultation has been completed and a report to Council is presented at the March 1, 2021 Council meeting, as set out in the Notice of Motion,” said a media release from the Township of Wilmot.
Similar incidents have been popping up throughout Canada as protests continue to flare over alleged systemic racism.