Frank Oliver plaque permanently removed by City of Edmonton
This plaque honoring Frank Oliver was vandalized in July 2021 (Darcy Seaton/CTV News)
An often-vandalized memorial featuring the face of former MP Frank Oliver will no longer be displayed in front of Edmonton's Fairmont Hotel Macdonald.
The plaque was removed by city crews on June 10 as part of general maintenance in the area and a decision has been made to not put it back.
Oliver served as minister of the interior between 1905 and 1911 when the federal government enacted a number of policies targeting Indigenous land rights and restricting immigration.
"The city is committed to reconciliation with Indigenous nations and therefore we have no plans to replace the plaque of Frank Oliver," city spokesperson Mary-Ann Thurber told CTV News Edmonton Thursday.
"No decision has been made about what will happen to the bas-relief image."
The plaque had been covered in red paint at least twice in the last two years.
Frank Oliver died in 1933.
The controversy surrounding honouring his namesake heated up in 2020, leading the Oliver Community League to request that Edmonton rename the neighbourhood. In 2021, a shopping centre dropped "Oliver" from its name.
Thurber said the city is currently drafting a new policy for statues and memorials, which will be presented to council later this year.
"That policy will outline how the city supports the commemoration and recognition of individuals, events and organizations to ensure we stay up-to-date with and are reflective of our diverse and inclusive community values," Thurber wrote.
Local statues of Emily Murphy and Winston Churchill have also been smeared with red paint.
The spot where a Frank Oliver plaque used to be displayed on Jasper Avenue and 100 Street (John Hanson/CTV News Edmonton).
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Author Salman Rushdie on ventilator after he was stabbed on lecture stage in New York
Salman Rushdie, whose novel 'The Satanic Verses' drew death threats from Iran's leader in the 1980s, was stabbed in the neck and abdomen Friday by a man who rushed the stage as the author was about to give a lecture in western New York.
Anne Heche legally dead, remains on life support for donor evaluation
Anne Heche remains on life support and under evaluation for organ donation after a car crash that led to her brain death, a representative for the actor said Friday.
FBI seized 'top secret' documents from Trump home
The FBI recovered documents that were labelled 'top secret' from former U.S. President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, according to court papers released Friday after a federal judge unsealed the warrant that authorized the unprecedented search this week.
Passengers tackle Canadian man after he became violent, tried to open plane doors mid-flight
A plane bound for Toronto has been forced to divert to Iceland after a Canadian man allegedly became violent and tried to open the aircraft door mid-air.
Canadian who sold his possessions, used up his savings to deliver aid in Ukraine makes a plea for help
Canadian Adam Oake is among volunteers delivering aid to civilians in Ukraine, but he says donations are drying up and he's issuing a plea for help.
Canadian universities earned record-high surplus revenues during COVID-19: StatCan
Canadian universities reported record-high surplus revenues in wake of the pandemic as schools took advantage of last year's strong stock market performance.
EXCLUSIVE
EXCLUSIVE | Woman who was stalked by police officer ex-boyfriend says justice system failed her
Despite a police misconduct probe that found a high-ranking B.C. officer had stalked and harassed his ex-girlfriend for years, a criminal investigation into the case did not result in charges.
Canada to test wastewater for polio
Canada plans to start testing wastewater for poliovirus in a number of cities “as soon as possible” following new reports of cases abroad, the Public Health Agency of Canada confirmed on Friday.
Montenegro gunman kills 10 on the street; police kill him
A man went on a shooting rampage in the streets of this western Montenegro city Friday, killing 10 people, including two children, before being shot dead by a passerby, officials said.
Calgary
-
Calgary police, humane society seize 42 animals in northeast Calgary
Police and the Calgary Humane Society have launched a joint investigation after seizing 42 animals from a northeast Calgary property Friday morning.
-
Calgary Farmers' Market opens new northwest location
Plans for the opening of a second Calgary Farmers' Market location were announced in 2018, but COVID-19 and supply chain issues pushed back the official opening roughly two years.
-
'Communications failure': UCP minister tells reporters to stop asking about essay award
A UCP MLA shook her head in frustration and said "wow" while walking away from a microphone Friday, as the fallout continued over an "abhorrent" essay that her government awarded.
Saskatoon
-
'Spanking will leave marks': Manual used at Saskatoon school encouraged paddling
A training workbook allegedly used at a Saskatoon school targeted in a proposed class action lawsuit outlines a guiding philosophy which encouraged physical discipline.
-
Sask. expanding COVID-19 fourth vaccine dose eligibility to residents 18+
Saskatchewan is expanding COVID-19 vaccine fourth dose eligibility to residents 18 years and older.
-
Police seek information following Saskatoon EX bear spray attack
Saskatoon Police Service (SPS) was called after a man allegedly sprayed bear spray on a group of people near the Saskatoon EX.
Regina
-
Sask. expanding COVID-19 fourth vaccine dose eligibility to residents 18+
Saskatchewan is expanding COVID-19 vaccine fourth dose eligibility to residents 18 years and older.
-
'Spanking will leave marks': Manual used at Saskatoon school encouraged paddling
A training workbook allegedly used at a Saskatoon school targeted in a proposed class action lawsuit outlines a guiding philosophy which encouraged physical discipline.
-
Regina man wins $100K on Western 649 extra
A Regina man is $100,000 richer after matching the winning extra number on his Western 649 lottery ticket.
Atlantic
-
Halifax's Meagher Park, used as encampment by homeless, cleared out and fenced off
Halifax police say a city park that has been used as an encampment for homeless people has been cleared out and fenced off.
-
Confirmed case of Monkeypox in New Brunswick
The provincial government’s Department of Health confirmed the case in a news release Friday evening.
-
State of emergency to lift in Newfoundland as forest fire situation improves
Newfoundland and Labrador officials say the state of emergency called last weekend because of raging wildfires in the centre of the province will end on Saturday.
Toronto
-
Passengers tackle Canadian man after he became violent, tried to open plane doors mid-flight
A plane bound for Toronto has been forced to divert to Iceland after a Canadian man allegedly became violent and tried to open the aircraft door mid-air.
-
Teenage Head to continue concerts after murder of guitarist Gord Lewis
Canadian punk rock band Teenage Head has said they will go forward with their upcoming shows following the murder of founding member and guitarist Gord Lewis.
-
Doug Ford swallows bee during live news conference
Doug Ford's live news conference on Friday was unexpectedly interrupted after the premier swallowed and choked on a bee.
Montreal
-
Judge suspends two articles of Quebec's Bill 96 regarding legal translations
A group challenging Quebec's new language law logged a first legal victory against the legislation on Friday, as a judge temporarily suspended a provision requiring English court documents to be translated into French.
-
Perimeter lifted, but operation continues after Montreal East shooting
Streets are reopening in Montreal East, though a major police operation is ongoing following a shooting overnight Thursday into Friday.
-
Montreal stabbing of Orthodox Jewish man may have been work-related conflict: police
A 24-year-old Orthodox Jewish man was stabbed Thursday in Montreal's Saint-Michel neighbourhood. Montreal police (SPVM) said it's possible the stabbing was a work-related conflict, as the victim and suspect are coworkers.
Ottawa
-
Five-kilometre section of Queensway closed until Monday
All eastbound and westbound lanes of Hwy. 417 are closed between Metcalfe Street and Carling/Kirkwood Avenues for the replacement of the Booth Street Bridge. The closure will continue until Monday at 6 a.m.
-
Author Salman Rushdie on ventilator after he was stabbed on lecture stage in New York
Salman Rushdie, whose novel 'The Satanic Verses' drew death threats from Iran's leader in the 1980s, was stabbed in the neck and abdomen Friday by a man who rushed the stage as the author was about to give a lecture in western New York.
-
Ottawa baby makes his grand appearance in Queensway Carleton Hospital hallway
An Ottawa family has a story for a lifetime after delivering their newborn in the hallway of the Queensway Carleton Hospital.
Kitchener
-
-
Kitchener man watches as car slams into his house
When Carmelo Mazza went to get his mail on Friday morning, he never imagined on his walk home he would witness a car crash into his home at the exact spot he typically sits.
-
Waterloo region candidates list sparse with registration deadline looming
The deadline for candidate registration is one week away, and still, several ridings in Waterloo region have wards with no candidates named.
Northern Ontario
-
Sault airport traffic slowly recovers from pandemic
While improving, air traffic in the Sault is currently at three-quarters of pre-COVID-19 pandemic numbers.
-
Community celebrates as player brings Memorial Cup home to Noelville
It was standing room only inside the Noelville Community Centre on Friday morning as Memorial Cup winner Philippe Daoust made a triumphant return home to French River.
-
Thank a local farmer during Farmers' Market Week
It's national Farmers' Market Week and few are more thankful for farmers in Timmins than Rock Whissell.
Winnipeg
-
Police, experts sound alarm after another fatal drowning in Manitoba
The number of fatal drownings in Manitoba has police and experts issuing a reminder to Manitobans about how quickly fun in the water can turn tragic.
-
Winnipeg police arrest two women from Ontario in connection to grandparent scam
Winnipeg police have arrested and charged two women from Ontario in connection to grandparent scams in the city.
-
Manitoba beaches good despite algae blooms
Beach conditions are good across Manitoba this week, according to the Province.
Vancouver
-
Union representing 33,000 B.C. government workers issues strike notice
A union representing tens of thousands of government workers handed the B.C. government 72 hours' strike notice Friday afternoon.
-
B.C.'s first dumpling festival bridges cultures through food
On the surface it’s a food festival, but the purpose of the inaugural B.C. Dumpling Festival is to fight racism by bridging cultures through dumplings.
-
High-risk sex offender wanted Canada-wide after leaving halfway house, VPD says
Vancouver police are warning the public that a high-risk sex offender released from prison Friday morning has gone missing from his halfway house in the city.
Vancouver Island
-
Health-care worker says man's death while waiting in Nanaimo ER could have been prevented
A health-care worker says they believe a man's recent death while waiting for care in the emergency room at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital could have been prevented.
-
BC Ferries cancels 2 sailings between Nanaimo, Vancouver due to staff shortage
Two BC Ferries sailings between Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland have been cancelled Friday evening due to a staff shortage.
-
Overnight emergency room closures extended at Island Health-area hospital
Island Health says that overnight closures at the only emergency room on Cormorant Island will continue until the end of August due to a staffing shortage.