Bridgewater, N.S. to change street name, citing slaughter of Indigenous people
The town of Bridgewater in southwestern Nova Scotia has joined the growing list of communities that have dropped the name Cornwallis from its street signs, saying the name of the former colonial governor is too closely associated with the slaughter of Indigenous people.
Edward Cornwallis, who was also the founder of Halifax, earned a notorious reputation for brutality after he issued a bounty for the scalps of Mi'kmaq men, women and children in October 1749.
Bridgewater Mayor David Mitchell said Cornwallis's actions should not be celebrated.
"What we learn from history is that we should ensure we are not rejoicing in the wrong things or the wrong people," he told a virtual council meeting Monday.
"We shouldn't be revering or celebrating bad people or terrible actions .... We know of the terrible things that Cornwallis did to the Indigenous population."
Council heard that most of the street's 14 residents were opposed to the change. Some expressed a concern about erasing history, the mayor said. Others felt there was a lack of consultation, and there were complaints about the annoyance of having to change addresses.
"This is not erasing history," Mitchell said. "History can't be erased, because it's completed. You can't undo history. Removing a street sign doesn't change that any more than taking a statue down does."
The mayor said the address changes would be an inconvenience. "But that's a temporary inconvenience, versus the pain that is felt by the people who see that street every day and see the name of the person who murdered their ancestors."
Coun. Stacey Colwell said he respected the views of residents but he supported the change.
"Ultimately, this is not about a street name," Colwell said. "This is about a town's relationship with the Aboriginal community. It's about acknowledging past wrongs, and it's about moving respectfully forward with reconciliation."
Two councillors voted against the motion, saying the residents of the street had not been given the proper opportunity to voice their concerns.
"We have the pandemic and communication hasn't been the best without the opportunity to meet face-to-face." Coun. Cheryl Fougere said.
In recent years, there has been a spirited debate in Nova Scotia over Cornwallis's legacy, as activists repeatedly staged protests at the foot of a statue of the man in Halifax, which was taken down in January 2018. Last year, a committee in Halifax recommended the permanent removal of the statue and the renaming of a local street and park honouring him.
On Oct. 2, 1749, Cornwallis and his military council approved an infamous proclamation to "take or destroy the savages." The decree promised a reward of "ten Guineas for every Indian Micmac taken, or killed, to be paid upon producing such savage taken or his scalp."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 17, 2021.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
U.S. says Israel's use of U.S. arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete
The Biden administration said Friday that Israel's use of U.S.-provided weapons in Gaza likely violated international humanitarian law but wartime conditions prevented U.S. officials from determining that for certain in specific airstrikes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
'We have laws': Premier Smith says police action justified in Calgary
The actions, including the decision to use non-lethal force, to disperse pro-Palestinian protesters from the University of Calgary campus were justified, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said Friday.
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.