Wilmot Council concludes Prime Ministers Path deliberations with renewed, inclusive direction

Following a comprehensive and community-led engagement process, Wilmot Township Council has made a unanimous decision regarding the future of the Prime Ministers Path. At its July 28 meeting, Council adopted a resolution that charts a renewed course for the project—one that reflects broad community perspectives, protects taxpayers, and affirms the Township’s commitment to respectful civic dialogue. 

“This was not a decision made lightly,” said Mayor Natasha Salonen. “The future of the Prime Ministers Path has been a subject of deep reflection in our community. While perspectives differ, Council has listened carefully. The path forward represents a balanced response to the feedback we heard—rooted in education, inclusion, and fiscal responsibility.” 

Council’s decision includes: 

• Reinstalling the statues at the current site, including the four currently in storage, with no further tax dollars committed beyond standard park maintenance, plus storage costs. Council requested that staff report back with the estimated costs of reinstalling the statues at a future meeting. 
• Relocating the statue of Sir John A. Macdonald to a more discreet area of the park, accessible by personal choice rather than public prominence. 
• Creating a volunteer-led committee to oversee the project’s future direction and develop inclusive, historically grounded educational content. Council requested that the committee also consider the inclusion of a community garden as part of the project with input from local Indigenous groups. 
• Securing all future funding through private donations, partnerships, or grants, with no municipal dollars allocated to programming or expansion. 
• Considering a new name for the path in consultation with the community, to better reflect its renewed purpose. 

The Township’s most recent extensive public engagement process—led by LURA Consulting—gathered input from hundreds of residents through surveys, open houses, email, and community tea circles. Feedback was diverse and often complex but overwhelmingly pointed to a shared desire for respectful dialogue, greater transparency, and more meaningful public involvement in shaping historical narratives. 

“In many ways, this issue became larger than the path itself,” noted Mayor Salonen. “The process showed us how communities wrestle with questions of history, memory, and identity. As elected leaders, it’s not our role to rewrite history, but to ensure it is presented thoughtfully—so that we may all learn from it.” 

The Prime Ministers Path and the new volunteer committee will be subject to a formal reporting to Council to assess public engagement, long-term sustainability, and alignment with Council’s direction. 

With this resolution, Wilmot Township concludes a chapter that began more than a decade ago. The approach moving forward honours the input of residents, respects past investments, and reinforces Council’s role in providing clear, responsible, and transparent leadership. 

For media inquiries:   

Brett O’Reilly | Communications Specialist
brett.oreilly@wilmot.ca | 519-634-8519, ext. 9229

Prime Ministers Path – FAQs & Key Messages  

Why is the Township reinstalling the statues? 

Answer: 
Following an extensive public engagement process led by external consultants, the Township heard clearly that while community views differ, there is a shared desire for closure, fiscal responsibility, and educational value. Reinstalling the statues without additional taxpayer funding allows us to preserve past investments while reframing the project with greater community oversight and sensitivity.  

We also recognize that not everyone supported the return of the statues—and that’s okay. This process was never about reaching unanimous agreement. It was about listening to a wide range of voices and arriving at a balanced, principled outcome. Council’s unanimous decision reflects a meaningful way forward: one that honours past investments, responds to public input, and is not beholden to any one ideology or perspective 

Why is the Sir John A. Macdonald statue being treated differently? 

Answer: 
Council recognized the sensitivity tied to Macdonald’s legacy, especially in relation to Indigenous peoples and residential schools. His statue will be placed among the other statues, as opposed to on the main street beside the Township offices to ensure any interaction with it is intentional and self-directed. This placement was informed by community feedback and aims to create space for thoughtful reflection. 

Who will decide how the project is managed going forward? 

Answer: 
A new volunteer committee will be created through an open application process. This committee will guide the educational direction of the project and oversee its evolution, with regular reporting to Council. The committee will operate independently and without municipal funding.  

What will the educational focus of the project be? 

Answer: 
The educational content will focus on Canadian political history, leadership, and governance. The goal is to provide accessible, accurate information that helps residents and visitors better understand Canada’s democratic institutions and the individuals who have shaped them. The project is not intended to be a platform for advocacy on current political issues. 

 What role will Township staff play in this going forward? 

Answer: 
Staff involvement will be limited to routine park maintenance. Staff may identify opportunities to connect museum programming or tourism opportunities with the Path’s themes, but they will not be responsible for developing or managing the Path’s educational content or activities. 

Why is Council considering renaming the Prime Ministers Path? 

Answer: 
As part of reframing the project with a renewed purpose, Council is open to renaming the path to better reflect its inclusive, educational intent. A potential new name would be developed through community consultation. 

What happens if no private funding is secured? 

Answer: 
If private funding is not secured beyond the initial reinstallation, the project will not expand further. The Township has been clear that future development of the Path is contingent on external financial support. 

How does this reflect what the community wanted? 

Answer: 
The Township engaged hundreds of residents over the past year through surveys, events, and facilitated dialogues. While there was no single consensus, Council’s decision reflects the broad themes that emerged: a desire for responsible stewardship of public resources, respectful handling of Canada’s history, and more meaningful community involvement in shaping public spaces. 

10. Is this decision final? 

Answer: 
Yes, this is a final decision. Council has provided clear direction, and the matter will not be reconsidered. This resolution brings closure to years of debate, and the statues will not be subject to future political campaigns or Council reversals. That said, the volunteer committee responsible for stewarding the project will have the flexibility to evolve programming and educational elements over time—provided they secure appropriate funding and remain within their mandate. This allows for growth without reopening the fundamental question of whether the statues remain in place.