The city of Kingston has now firmed-up the citizen’s committee that will explore the complex legacy of Sir John A. Macdonald.
Councillors finalized appointments Tuesday night to the eight-member Kingston working group.
The committee will include three citizens and five members from Indigenous groups, or those who identify as Indigenous community members.
The list includes local activist Mary Farrar, Bay of Quinte Mohawks Band Chief Donald Maracle, and Alderville First Nation Chief Dave Mowatt.
It will be this group’s job to examine Macdonald’s legacy in the face of mounting protests — including his treatment of Indigenous people — and how it should be reflected on municipal landmarks linked to Canada’s first prime minister.
A local touchpoint for the debate has been a statue of Macdonald in City Park. Protesters have repeatedly called for its removal, but the city has opted to add context to historical monuments rather than remove them.
Kingston’s council has already passed several recommendations on the matter, including removing the plaques that stand by the Spirit of John A. locomotive in Confederation Park and the statue of Macdonald that stands in City Park.
They will be replaced with new plaques that “tell a more complete and inclusive account of their histories in a Kingston context,” according to a city report.
Now, it will be the working group’s tasks to further the city’s goals to reframe Macdonald’s legacy in Kingston.
The group has until the end of this year to report its recommendations to council.
— With files from Global News’ Alexandra Mazur