Work has commenced on the revival of the Prime Ministers Path initiative in Wilmot Township after a hiatus of five years due to past controversies. The park adjacent to Castle Kilbride is set to witness the reinstallation of five existing bronze portraits and the introduction of a sixth statue representing an unidentified prime minister.
The Prime Ministers Path project in Baden previously encountered significant controversy. In 2020, the statue of Sir John A Macdonald was relocated near the township offices after being vandalized with red paint in protest against Macdonald’s involvement in residential schools. Subsequently, all remaining statues were removed in 2021 and placed in storage. In 2025, Wilmot council voted to resume the project and transferred it to Createscape Waterloo Region for reinstatement.
Originally conceived as a privately-funded endeavor to create 22 bronze sculptures of former Canadian prime ministers to commemorate Canada’s 150th anniversary, the project aims to honor all prime ministers and serve as an educational resource for the public.
Carolyn Salonen, a retired educator and member of Createscape’s advisory committee, emphasized the group’s aspiration for the pathway and artworks to spark meaningful conversations. Salonen highlighted the importance of understanding historical figures and their impacts on society to prevent the recurrence of negative decisions.
Createscape Waterloo Region has assumed responsibility for managing the Prime Ministers Path project, including maintenance and fundraising for future statues. The group now possesses custody of the nine prime minister statues owned by the township, with plans to display them in municipal parkland over the next 20 years.
Don Bourgeois, Chair of Createscape, emphasized the significance of comprehending Canada’s history in shaping a collective future for Canadians. The group intends to provide updates on the reinstatement process and educational materials as the project progresses.
Salonen clarified that the statues are not mere memorials but representations of figures in Canadian history. She envisioned the pathway as a platform for engaging in conversations about the prime ministers’ decisions and fostering a deeper understanding of the nation’s past and future.
Createscape aims to facilitate discussions on historical narratives through the Prime Ministers Path, encouraging dialogue and reflection on Canada’s history and its implications for the future.