A recent poll by BC-based Research Co shows most Canadians believe the removal of existing monuments from public view is an attack against Canadian history.
The online survey among 1,000 adults in Canada found 54% of Canadians disagree with the removal of historical statues, while 21% are in favour of withdrawing existing monuments from public view.
Over half of Canadians aged 55 and older believe that removing statues of colonial figures is an attack on the country’s history (61%), compared to 54% of those aged 35 to 54 and 48% of those aged 18-34 (56%).
In recent years, the removal of statues paying tribute to colonial figures has sparked a diverse range of opinions among Canadians. Today, 45% of Canadians have a favourable opinion of Sir John A. Macdonald, while 22% hold unfavourable views.
This poll comes after several municipalities across Canada – including Victoria – removed statues of Canada’s first prime minister, Sir John A. Macdonald.
In September, Victoria city councillors approved a motion to donate the statue to the John A. MacDonald Historical Society.
Related: Victoria approves motion to hand over John A. MacDonald statue to historical society
The statue was removed from outside Victoria’s city hall in 2018 as an act of reconciliation on behalf of the city toward the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations.
While 32% of Canadians believe all statues of Macdonald should be taken down from public view, nearly half of those polled (47%) disagree with the removal of all statues of Macdonald.
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