Champlain monument quietly removed from storage location

A controversial monument has been removed from its storage location in Orillia’s Couchiching Beach Park.

City officials told CTV News by email that they are aware of the fact that the statue has been removed. They said City Council is expected to receive a follow-up from staff on Friday.

After the Samuel de Champlain statue was found without its tarp on Monday, allegedly removed by vandals, staff rewrapped the statue once they were made aware.

• ‘Tarped-up questions’ raised after controversial monument exposed at Orillia park

However, as of Wednesday evening, the monument was no longer there.

The statue has been a contentious topic within the community, especially recently, since its resurrection. It’s been stored away for years amid backlash from First Nations groups on how the design of the statue depicts Indigenous people.

Last month, after being reinstalled at Couchiching Beach Park, it was vandalized almost immediately.

• Samuel de Champlain statue vandalized within hours of resurrection

The statue was tucked away in 2017 for restoration, but has stayed stored due to controversy until its surprise resurrection back to its original home.

Back in April, council voted against the statue’s return to the park.

• Orillia council votes against return of controversial monument

It is unclear where the monument is currently being stored.