Halifax council narrowly rejects review of commemorations of Edward Cornwallis
Halifax city council has narrowly decided not to discuss a public review of commemorations of Edward Cornwallis, Nova Scotia’s first governor.
Coun. Waye Mason proposed a motion Tuesday to consider updating municipal markers bearing the name of Cornwallis.
After a vigorous debate, councillors rejected the notice of motion in an 8-7 vote.
The razor-thin result comes in light of heated controversy over Cornwallis’s treatment of indigenous people.
Cornwallis founded Halifax in 1749 and soon after issued a bounty on the scalps of Mi’kmaq men, women and children.
Mason told council he wants to engage the city in a difficult conversation about its founder.
He acknowledged campaigns to remove Cornwallis’s name from municipal landmarks, including a park, street and prominent statue in downtown Halifax.
Many councillors said they are fielding angry phone calls from citizens who want to preserve the city’s history.
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