Halifax's public art policies surprise Cornwallis task force

The municipal task force set up to decide what to do about Halifax's controversial Cornwallis statue got a primer Monday night on the city's current policies on public art and the naming of parks and streets.

One of the four presentations from Halifax regional staff included an overview of the rules for Cornwallis Park, the downtown green space that had featured the statue of city founder Edward Cornwallis until it was removed in 2018 and put in storage.

Monica MacDonald, a co-chair of the task force, was taken aback by the fact the first public art policies were put in place 11 years ago.

"2008 is the first time HRM got a policy on public art, I found that very surprising," said MacDonald. "It's good that there is one, but that there was nothing before that is interesting."

We'koqma'q First Nation Chief Roderick Googoo, the other task force co-chair, was also unaware the municipality already has a policy for permanently removing pieces of art known as a deaccession provision.

"I was amazed," he said. "But apparently there are certain steps to follow and there has to be public engagement."

If a piece of art is removed it can be sold, donated or destroyed. The final decision is up to regional council.

Public art at the centre of revamped Cornwallis Park

The Cornwallis task force was set up to figure out what to do with the statue. It must also decide what to do about the park and street named after Cornwallis, as well as make recommendations on how best to commemorate Indigenous history.

There has been increasing controversy in recent years over what's been called Cornwallis's scalping proclamation, which in 1749 offered a cash bounty to anyone who killed a Mi'kmaw person.

One of the presenters Monday night, Cheryle Copage-Grehue, talked about the creation of a Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack Legacy Space.

Municipal planner Seamus McGrael also outlined new rules that will be in place for Cornwallis Park in the fall, when the new Barrington South heritage conservation district will be set up.

The new rules will not prevent the renaming of the park, but they will create unobstructed views of the park from the adjacent hotel and stipulate where public art can be placed.

"One of the features of the park is public art at the centre," said McGrael. "The rules are just to ensure that some of the elements are respected."

The Cornwallis task force plans to host public feedback sessions in early June. A final report is expected by the end of 2020.