Bylaw, security staff will have presence in Victoria Park over long weekend

With the Victoria Day long weekend upon us, we're learning more about the latest vandalism incident involving the Queen Victoria statue in Victoria Park. 

Police reported on May 5 that the statue was doused in red paint for the third time in less than a year, and as of this week, the paint has been removed.

The City of Kitchener is estimating clean-up costs were around $5,000. 

As for the next few days, the city said by-law and security staff routinely patrol city parks and they 'will have presence' in Victoria Park over the long weekend.  

It was previously announced that city staff would present a report to council sometime in June regarding the contentious statue, as the city has faced calls from some to remove the monument or keep the red paint on. 

The city erected two plaques around the statue in October of last year following two vandalism incidents on July 1 and in mid-August. They read in part, “The cultural harm and erasure inflicted on First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples is a direct result of this colonialism … The City of Kitchener acknowledges that the presence of this statue in Victoria Park may contribute to that ongoing harm.”

The plaques were also doused in red paint in the latest vandalism incident. 

An e-mail statement from a city spokesperson on Friday said, “Citizens will be given an opportunity to provide feedback on the Queen Victoria statue in the coming months. City staff will be bringing a report to committee on June 8 and council on June 20 looking to continue a community dialogue about the statue.”

Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic has said he understands there are varying views on the statue and noted the city wants to find an appropriate balance, while ensuring public spaces like Victoria Park are welcoming for everyone.