Statues of Queen Elizabeth II, Queen Victoria toppled at Manitoba Legislature

Two toppled statues to be put back up CTV's Jeff Keele has more on the premier's decision to refurbish and put back up two statues that were toppled at the legislature.

WINNIPEG — Demonstrators toppled statues of Queen Elizabeth II and Queen Victoria at the Manitoba Legislature on Thursday afternoon.

The statues were taken down during events held at the Manitoba Legislature grounds in honour of the Indigenous children who died at former residential schools.

The statue of Queen Victoria was coated in red paint and the base covered in red handprints.

The Queen Victoria statue was first unveiled on the grounds in 1904.

Source: Gary Robson/CTV News

A second statue of Queen Elizabeth II was also toppled during the same event. That statue is located next to the Government House.

There is no word if either of the statues have been permanently damaged.

Source: Gary Robson/CTV News

In a statement released Friday, Premier Brian Pallister called the vandalism at the Manitoba Legislative Building “unacceptable.”

“They are a major setback for those who are working toward real reconciliation and do nothing to advance this important goal,” the premier said.

“Those who commit acts of violence will be pursued actively in the courts. All leaders in Manitoba must strongly condemn acts of violence and vandalism, and at the same time, we must come together to meaningfully advance reconciliation.”