Question Period Note: Revisiting Existing Commemorations

Revisiting Existing Commemorations

• Our national historic designations reflect the rich and varied heritage of our nation and provide an opportunity for Canadians to learn more about our diverse history.
• The Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada has worked with Parks Canada to develop principles to guide decisions related to conflicting views of historic commemoration in Canada.
• Parks Canada is committed to providing a comprehensive and balanced overview of Canada’s history to ensure that Canadians have opportunities to engage with the full scope of our history, including the difficult periods of our past.
• Our Government is committed to developing a system of national heritage places that commemorates the contributions of Indigenous peoples, their history and cultures, and respects the special relationship Indigenous peoples have with traditional lands and waters.
• Parks Canada is committed to presenting the full scope of the history at Skmaqn–Port-la-Joye–Fort Amherst National Historic Site, including the Indigenous perspectives and the Acadian experience, and is working with partners and communities to reimagine the Champlain Monument in Orillia, Ontario.

HISTORIC SITES AND MONUMENTS BOARD OF CANADA / FRAMEWORK FOR HISTORY AND COMMEMORATION

• Created in 1919, the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada (HSMBC) advises the Minister of Environment and Climate Change on the national historic significance of the sites, persons and events that marked Canada's history. The Minister designates places, persons, and events of national historic significance on the advice of the HSMBC.
• 2019 marks the 100th anniversary of the creation of the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada (HSMBC).
• Replacing the system plan from 2000, the Framework for History and Commemoration: National Historic Sites of Canada System Plan 2019 identifies principles, strategic priorities and practices that underpin a shared approach to exploring the breadth and depth of Canadian history, and encompasses a variety of sources and ways of knowing, including oral sources, traditional knowledge, and archaeology. It also outlines the process for the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada (HSMBC) to address conflict and controversy stemming from existing commemorations. Ultimately, this policy’s goal is to improve history presentation at all Parks Canada heritage places.
• The Framework for History and Commemoration also focuses on building a more inclusive system of national historic designations. This framework encourages taking on a broader range of stories that reflects the diversity of voices, perspectives, and experiences in Canadian history. In so doing, this policy supports the implementation of Call to Action 79 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission by setting the direction for the “integration of Indigenous history, heritage values, and memory practice” into the commemoration and presentation of heritage and history at Parks Canada.
• The Framework was reviewed by external cultural organizations, universities, scholars, and history experts, including Indigenous cultural experts. In addition, a 30-day public consultation process was conducted.

SKMAQN – PORT LA JOYE – FORT AMHERST

• Originally established by the French in 1720, Skmaqn–Port-la-Joye–Fort Amherst National Historic Site commemorates the first permanent European settlement on Île Saint-Jean (today Prince Edward Island).
• In 2008 and again in 2016, in light of the views and actions of Field Marshal Jeffrey Amherst against Indigenous peoples, requests were made to remove “Fort Amherst” from the name of the national historic site. Parks Canada referred these requests to the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada (HSMBC) for consideration.
• The HSMBC recommended that Parks Canada work with the Mi'kmaq of Prince Edward Island to determine if there was a historic Mi'kmaq place name for the site that could be added to the site's official name, thereby helping to better communicate the layers of history present there.
• Parks Canada consulted the Mi’kmaq Confederacy of PEI in the fall of 2017 and they proposed that the Mi’kmaq historic name Skmaqn (pronounced Ska-MAA-kin) be added to the site.
• That name was added to the site name on February 16, 2018. This decision is in keeping with the spirit of reconciliation by providing the addition of an Indigenous name while addressing the concerns identified that the removal of “Fort Amherst” would hide an aspect of our history.
• Skmaqn means “the waiting place” and is thought to have its origins in the years 1725-1758 when Mi’kmaq and French leaders met annually at the site to renew their relationship and military alliance.
• The continued presence of “Fort Amherst” in the name remains controversial with some members of the local Mi’kmaq community.

CHAMPLAIN MONUMENT

• Parks Canada owns the Samuel de Champlain Monument, located in Couchiching Beach Park, Orillia, Ontario. Following a condition assessment in 2015, Parks Canada commenced work to replace concrete and to conserve the statues, which included the removal of the statues.
• The monument is seen by some residents as an important landmark for Orillia. Strong concerns over the monument’s representation of Indigenous peoples were voiced by members of the public and Indigenous communities. Parks Canada therefore decided to place the project on hold and not proceed with the reinstallation of the monument until consultations took place.
• As a result of these perspectives, Parks Canada and the City of Orillia formed a working group in 2018, with representation from Parks Canada, the City of Orillia, the Chippewas of Rama First Nation, the Huron-Wendat Nation, the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario, and two citizens-at-large from Orillia. The group had the mandate to pursue public engagement and to recommend to Council and Parks Canada an appropriate path forward for the Champlain Monument that is respectful and representative of both Indigenous and non Indigenous perspectives.
• Between October and June 2019, the Working Group conducted an inclusive engagement process that included a Discussion Paper, a Frequently Asked Questions document, three public workshops in Orillia, four discussion meetings in Rama First Nation, and an online questionnaire.
• The Final Report and Recommendations of the Samuel de Champlain Monument Working Group was released online and to local media and stakeholders in late July 2019.
• The final report recommended reinstalling the central bronze figure of Champlain, removing the original inset plaque, and adding new interpretative signage. Chippewas of Rama First Nation and the Huron Wendat Nation strongly support the recommendations of the working group.
• A new working group is being established to undertake the next steps to develop the new interpretative text and a plan for the other bronze figures. Members will include Parks Canada, the City of Orillia, Chippewas of Rama First Nation and the Huron Wendat Nation.
• A new foundation and staircase have been poured. Parks Canada is working to reinstall the central monument with the Champlain figure in its original location. The bronze sculptures have been restored and are being stored offsite, pending a recommendation from the new working group.
• The monument is a public piece of art that is owned by Parks Canada. The monument is not a NHS or a cultural resource and the embedded plaque is not an Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada (HSMBC) plaque and consequently the HSMBC does not make decisions or recommendations on changing or removing the plaque or its text.

Question Period notes as provided by the Department to the Minister’s Office