Wilmot council discusses Prime Minister statues, Schneider family land donation at meeting
The Township of Wilmot is continuing to discuss what to do with their statues of Prime Ministers and how to handle the Schneider family land donation dispute.
Council was presented with a report from staff on a permanent plan for the halted Prime Ministers' Path project during a Monday night meeting.
In the report was how much it has cost the township to keep the statutes in storage.
"The cost of this storage is $661 a month and we've spent about $23,000 in between 2020 and 2024," said Sharon Chambers, CAO of the Township of Wilmot.
The statues have been in storage at an undisclosed location ever since the Prime Ministers' Path project was cancelled by council in 2021.
Before this decision, the Sir John A. Macdonald statue was repeatedly vandalized, as members of the public voiced their concern about the historical ties to residential schools.
In January of this year, council decided to reconsider the project.
"We are aware the storage costs are concerning, but what will be the financial and social cost of not listening to the opinion of those with different opinions and histories as ourselves?" a delegate said.
Council says they will look into other storage locations on municipal property, but also would like a report that looks into the establishment of a working group, or explore alternative approaches of community engagement.
They voted to continue the conversation around the project at their March 25 meeting.
SCHNEIDER FAMILY LAND DONATION
Wilmot council says they are working with the transportation team at the City of Waterloo to work on an agreement regarding the Schneider family land donation.
Since 2020, the Schneiders have been trying to donate over 230 acres of land in Wilmot Township that borders Waterloo.
The deal hit a snag when the township decided in order for the donation to go through, the property would need a parking lot and it would need to be paid for by Rare or the Schneiders.
Council says a report is being developed that will be made public on Feb. 28. It will be up for consideration at the March 4 council meeting.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6979388.1722030190!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Celine Dion delivers stirring comeback performance at Paris Olympics opening ceremony
Against the rainy Paris night sky, Celine Dion staged the comeback of her career with a powerful performance from the Eiffel Tower to open the Olympic Games.
Jasper wildfire: 'Several weeks' before residents can return, premier says
Premier Danielle Smith said Friday afternoon in Hinton while weather conditions are cooler, the Jasper fire is still considered out of control and that Jasper residents can expect to be away from their homes 'for several weeks.'
Missing 3-year-old boy found dead in creek in Mississauga, Ont.: police
A three-year-old boy has been found dead a day after he went missing in a park in Mississauga, Ont., Peel police say.
Irish museum pulls Sinead O'Connor waxwork after just one day due to backlash
An Irish museum will withdraw a waxwork of singer-songwriter Sinéad O'Connor just one day after installing it, following a backlash from her family and the public, it told CNN in a statement on Friday.
Winnipeg senior's account overdrawn for $146,000 water bill
A Winnipeg senior is getting soaked with a six-figure water bill.
FBI says Trump was indeed struck by bullet during assassination attempt
Nearly two weeks after Donald Trump’s near assassination, the FBI confirmed Friday that it was indeed a bullet that struck the former president’s ear, moving to clear up conflicting accounts about what caused the former U.S. president’s injuries after a gunman opened fire at a Pennsylvania rally.
Driver charged after flashing high beams at approaching police
Orillia OPP arrested and charged a driver with impaired driving after flashing their high beams.
Turpel-Lafond won't sue CBC over Cree heritage report that took 'heavy toll': lawyer
The lawyer for a former judge whose claims to be Cree were questioned in a CBC investigation says his client is not considering legal action against the broadcaster after the Law Society of British Columbia this week backed her claims of Indigenous heritage.
Major Canadian bank experiences direct deposit outage on payday
Scotiabank says it has fixed a technical issue that impacted direct deposits on Friday morning.