Wilmot township accepting applications for Prime Ministers Path committee

Pictured is one of the statues from the Prime Ministers Path project, which will soon enter a new phase guided by a community steering committee. Wilmot Township is seeking volunteers to help oversee the reinstallation of the statues and develop inclusive, educational materials that reflect all aspects of Canada’s history. File photo

Lee Griffi, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Township of Wilmot is accepting applications for participation in a community steering committee that will guide the next phase of the controversial Prime Ministers Path project.

The project is being relaunched following a unanimous council vote in July, the result of an extensive community engagement campaign and recommendations from a working group. One of the group’s key recommendations was to establish a committee made up of volunteers to oversee the reinstallation of the statues and develop inclusive, historically grounded educational materials to accompany them.

“We are seeking around 10 members for the committee,” said township communications specialist Brett O’Reilly. “Applicants need to show a clear understanding of the project’s objectives, bring subject matter expertise in one or more of the project pillars (funding, inclusion, education, location/site design and Truth and Reconciliation), demonstrate a collaborative approach and a willingness to consider a wide range of perspectives and appreciate the balance between celebrating the prime ministers’ successes and making the most of the educational opportunities arising from other aspects of their legacies.”

Committee members will be required to establish terms of reference and begin exploratory outreach on funding since council agreed no more tax dollars should be used for the project.

“They will also be developing an educational framework to accompany the statues and create a thoughtful plan for the reinstallation,” she added.

O’Reilly added the township is confident that there will be sufficiently qualified applicants based on the significant attention around this project and the interest generated through the last two rounds of public engagement.

“If we don’t receive enough applicants in our first round, we will enhance our engagement efforts to ensure we gather a diverse group of individuals to help guide the next phase of the project.”

Interested parties are encouraged to apply by completing the online application, available at www.wilmot.ca/pmp. Applications are being accepted until Oct. 31.

The names of the successful applicants will be announced at the Nov. 24 council meeting.