Statue of Sir John A. Macdonald in downtown Hamilton painted red again

The statue of Sir John A. Macdonald in downtown Hamilton was covered in red paint again Wednesday, but quickly washed off by mid-morning.

Jen Recine, manager of communications for the city, said the marks were removed as part of a city bylaw.

If the markings are on municipal property and "risk compromising the material, such as the paint applied overnight," the city removes them as quickly as possible, she said. 

The Gore Park statue has been previously painted red and also recently spent three days covered with black fabric, wrapped in protest.

When the statue was covered, Indigenous community members shared stories about residential schools children were forced to attend. Canada's first prime minister was involved in the planning and expansion of the system. 

They also expressed frustration with the pace at which the city is responding to requests for the statue to be removed.

The city has said it doesn't plan to remove the statue.

The city council of Kingston, Ont., recently voted to move its statue of Sir John. A Macdonald, which stood in a park, to a nearby cemetery where he is buried. His statue in Charlottetown has also been moved into storage.

Recine reiterated that a report suggesting the "undertaking a review of city landmarks and monuments" is expected at a committee meeting in July. 

The report won't recommend "any actions" for statues or other landmarks in the city, she said. But if city councillors approve the recommendations in the report, it "would start the process to review the issue."

The Hamilton Police Service said it believes the statue was painted at some point in the early morning. Police are investigating.