Wilmot Township leases Prime Ministers Path statues to local non-profit

A bronze statue of former Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King is among the nine figures set to be reinstalled in Baden as part of the renewed Prime Ministers Path project. File photo

By Lee Griffi

Nine bronze statues depicting former Canadian prime ministers have a new lease on life in Baden.

Wilmot Township council recently voted in favour of renting the Prime Ministers Path (PMP) statues to Createscape Waterloo Region for 20 years, for $2 per year.

At that same meeting, council granted Createscape legal permission to place the statues in the park behind the township administration complex. The estimated cost of $78,000 will be covered by the township but will be offset by $12,800 in donations to the project to date.

The organization is a registered charitable organization based in Kitchener, focusing on arts, culture and community engagement.

“We look forward to re-establishing the Prime Ministers Path in a way that honestly and accurately represents our shared history,” said Don Bourgeois, the group’s president. “We hope Wilmot residents will continue to share feedback throughout the process to ensure this project remains community focused.”

Wilmot CAO Jeff Wilmer said there could be an extension of a further 20 years. He added the cost of reinstalling the statues falls on the township.

“The recommendation tonight is council confirm its commitment and the availability of that funding so when the foundations are being poured to reinstall the statues, the township is prepared to pay up to $78,000 towards that cost,” Wilmer said.

The township is also on the hook to pay the insurance costs for the statues, which will likely come in at around $1,000 per year for each. Coun. Kris Wilkilson said while he is in favour of the initiative, the goal was not to spend any more tax dollars on it.

“I understand we would have an overarching liability policy associated with the park … but I am curious why this specific premium is associated per statue and if that is truly necessary.”

Wilmer said the township owns the nine statues and that won’t change going forward.

“It really is our responsibility to insure them, and I think that’s really what the driver was here behind us, paying insurance, because we continue to be the owner.”

Coun. Harvir Sidhu made it abundantly clear he is not in favour of spending any more tax dollars on the PMP, something his constituents have expressed to him.

“I am very firmly against spending any more township dollars to reinstall. That should be up to Createscape and those organizers to fundraise the money and do so. General maintenance, in terms of mowing the lawn and upkeep, that is what I would be comfortable with.”

Sidhu made a motion to do just that, which was seconded by Wilkinson to facilitate a discussion.

“I am somewhat torn on this,” Wilkinsons said. “ …The township removed these at a cost and essentially took away the work that was already done and paid for. From that perspective, I think we bear responsibility to cover the reinstallation costs.”

He added the nearly $13,000 raised so far should be put towards the statue’s reinstallation. Coun. Lilliane Dunstall agreed with Wilkinson and said the township took down the statues and should pay for putting them back up.

“And I have no issue with that $12,800 being used. I know some of the people who have contributed, and they’re just excited to get them back up.”

Wilmer stated council committed in July to pay for the reinstallation costs and advised against reconsidering it. Sidhu’s motion was voted down, meaning the township will pay for all reinstallation costs.

These decisions follow a resolution made by council in July 2025, and reflect the vision set out by a local working group that was established during the PMP public engagement process.

Part of that vision included the creation of the Prime Ministers Path community steering committee. This volunteer-led group worked as an advisory body to council over the last several months and will now be disbanded as Createscape takes custody of the statues and responsibility for re-establishing the path.

The township said no further tax dollars will be committed to the project, beyond the installation and insurance costs. Createscape will now develop plans to re-establish the path, along with an educational program about the history, role and impact of the prime ministers that it depicts.

Createscape is accepting donations to support its ongoing work on the project. Members of the public can donate online through Canada Helps (www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/createscape-waterloo-region/) or by cheque made out to Createscape Waterloo Region, mailed to 94 Windrush Trail, Kitchener, ON, N2P 2B3.

For more information about the Prime Ministers Path project, visit www.engagewr.ca/prime-ministers-path.