Lorne Gunter: Carney unlikely to do anything to ease Alberta sovereignty talk
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I have just finished my seventh interview on a radio talk show or podcast where the topic has been Alberta separation. Since Monday's federal election, hosts (mostly from Ontario) have been wondering whether the threat of Alberta leaving Confederation is real.
The cynic in me is tempted to chalk up this new-found interest in Alberta's grievance level to Ontarians' concern that without Alberta's money they'd be forced to pay themselves for all the big-state programs their MPs in Ottawa have foisted on the entire country.
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Toronto Star
an hour ago
- Toronto Star
Statue of Sir John A. Macdonald outside Queen's Park uncovered after five years
After five years behind protective hoarding, the 1894 statue of Sir John A. Macdonald on the front lawn of the Ontario legislature is now uncovered. Workers have put a protective coating on the bronze figure, which gazes south down University Avenue, along with a plaque hinting at Macdonald's controversial role in creating residential schools, where thousands of Indigenous children died after being taken from their families. The statue had been boxed in after repeated acts of vandalism. 'I recognize the sensitivities surrounding the history of Canada's first prime minister and I welcome all Ontarians to express their views — peacefully,' Donna Skelly, Speaker of the legislature, said in a statement Wednesday. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Workers unveil the statue. Rob Ferguson 'Violence and acts of vandalism will not be tolerated, and the Legislative Protective Service will actively monitor the statue and grounds.' Officers kept a close eye on the statue as it was uncovered Wednesday and throughout the day. A plaque in front of the statue says in part 'though we cannot change the history we inherited, we can shape the history we wish to leave behind' and notes officials at the legislature, including a committee of MPPs, are considering how Indigenous history can be better represented in the building and on its grounds. When the decision to remove the hoarding was made by the legislature's all-party board of internal economy last month, Indigenous New Democrat MPP Sol Mamakwa (Kiiwetinoong) — who survived residential schools — made it clear he was hurt by the move and warned the statue remains a target. 'It might come down, it might get spray-painted. I don't know. But let them learn,' he told reporters. 'We are still trying to find our kids, our ancestors, in these residential schools,' he added, referring to ground radar searches for graves in former school locations across Canada. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW There has been criticism that the plaque now in place does not say more about the controversy over Macdonald. Many suggestions have been made about how to deal with the statue, such as moving it into a museum where its context can be better explored or a building a monument to residential schools nearby. Tiny shoes that had been placed in front of the boarded-up statue in tribute to residential schoolchildren have been 'carefully and respectfully removed' and stored. Some left there years ago had already been moved into the legislature and included in an exhibit of Indigenous art called the Gathering Place. Residential schools were opened in 1883 under Macdonald's government, and the last one closed in 1996. About 150,000 Indigenous children were removed from their homes and forced into a system likened to apartheid and genocide. In its 2015 report, Canada's Truth and Reconciliation Commission initially counted 3,201 deaths at the schools. The search for unmarked graves at former school sites is expected to continue for years. Politics Headlines Newsletter Get the latest news and unmatched insights in your inbox every evening Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. Please enter a valid email address. Sign Up Yes, I'd also like to receive customized content suggestions and promotional messages from the Star. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Politics Headlines Newsletter You're signed up! You'll start getting Politics Headlines in your inbox soon. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page.
Winnipeg Free Press
2 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Sir John A. Macdonald statue back in view at Queen's Park after five years boarded up
TORONTO – The Sir John A. Macdonald statue outside the Ontario legislature is back in full view after spending the past five years in a box. The statue of Canada's first prime minister has been under hoarding since 2020, when it was vandalized with pink paint. The monument was one of many that were targeted across the country amid anti-racism protests and as Canadians grappled with the history of residential schools. Macdonald is considered an architect of the country's notorious residential school system, which took Indigenous children from their families in an effort to assimilate them. Progressive Conservative and Liberal members of a non-partisan board of the legislative assembly agreed earlier this month on a motion to remove the hoarding after the statue is cleaned. Speaker Donna Skelly says she recognizes the sensitivities surrounding Macdonald and welcomes Ontarians to come and share their views peacefully. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 11, 2025.
Toronto Sun
5 hours ago
- Toronto Sun
Annual Ford Fest barbecue this Friday at Etobicoke's Centennial Park
Ontario Premier Doug Ford attends his annual Ford Fest barbecue in Vaughan on Sept. 22, 2018. Photo by Jack Boland / Files / Toronto Sun The latest edition of Ford Fest is fast approaching. Ontario Premier Doug Ford is hosting his annual community barbecue at Centennial Park in Etobicoke this Friday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. And it is free to attend with no registration required. 'Get ready for an evening of fun [and] community spirit,' Ford said in a social media update. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Ford says this year's gathering is especially meaningful because it gives his supporters a chance to celebrate the historic third straight majority government for the Ontario PC Party following February's landslide provincial election victory — 'a testament to the trust Ontarians have placed in our team and our plan to rebuild Ontario.' The event offers free food including hamburgers, halal burgers, veggie burgers and hot dogs. 'The kids can enjoy free carnival rides,' Ford said. 'There'll be something for everyone.' The first 500 people in attendance will receive a free Fort Fest t-shirt as well. Music will also be part of the evening's festivities. RECOMMENDED VIDEO Ford Fest was started more than two decades ago by the premier's father Doug Ford, Sr. as a gathering at the family's Etobicoke property. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Ford Sr. once represented the former Etobicoke-Humber riding as an Ontario Conservative member at Queen's Park. It continued with Premier Doug Ford and his late brother Rob Ford, a businessman who made a name for himself after being elected as a councillor in Etobicoke in 2000 and then as Toronto mayor from 2010 to 2014. It grew over the years from hundreds of supporters to thousands of attendees at parks across Toronto and, in recent years, throughout Ontario. Read More Celebrity NHL Editorial Cartoons News Toronto & GTA
