Churchill, who died in 1965, was a longtime British parliamentarian who twice served as the U.K.’s prime minister
A statue depicting Second World War leader Sir Winston Churchill now stands larger than life — much like the man himself — outside of the provincial government’s Calgary offices.
Officials unveiled a three-metre-tall bronze statue of Churchill, the British wartime prime minister who led the United Kingdom through the Second World War, outside downtown Calgary’s McDougall Centre on Thursday.
Advertisement 2
Article content
The event coincided with the 80th anniversary of D-Day, when 160,000 Allied troops — 14,000 of them Canadian — stormed the beaches of Normandy, an invasion that led to the liberation of France and hastened the defeat of the Nazi regime.
“It’s quite fitting that today we are unveiling a statue commemorating one of the greatest leaders of all time,” said Premier Danielle Smith. “Sir Winston Churchill’s unwavering defence of democracy in the face of tyranny, injustice and oppression is one of the reasons why we are free to gather here today.”
The towering effigy, crafted by Edmonton sculptor Danek Mozdzenski, is the culmination of years of work by the Sir Winston Churchill Society of Calgary, which raised more than $300,000 for the design and creation of the statue.
“Winston Churchill was key to preserving freedom and democracy, not only for his country but ours and other nations,” said Mark Milke, the society’s president.
Recommended from Editorial
Noon News Roundup
Article content
Advertisement 3
Article content
Churchill, who died in 1965, was a longtime British parliamentarian who twice served as the U.K.’s prime minister. Remembered for his rousing speeches and leadership, he was a key figure in the Allies’ effort to dismantle the Nazi regime that had threatened Europe during the Second World War.
Churchill’s great-grandson, Randolph Churchill III, travelled from the U.K. for the statue’s unveiling. Randolph spoke of his great-grandfather’s love for Canada — and more specifically, for Alberta — cultivated during a weeklong visit to the province in 1929.
“My great-grandfather absolutely adored his trips to the oilfields and particularly out to Banff, which he captured in all the dazzling light and colour that I enjoyed there yesterday,” said Randolph of Churchill’s famous paintings of the Rocky Mountains.
Former Alberta premier Jason Kenney is a member of the local Churchill society and was a proponent of the project during his time in office. He said the sculpture faces southwest toward the oilfields of Turner Valley and the Eastern Slopes of the Rockies, in part to honour Churchill’s 1929 visit.
Advertisement 4
Article content
“Churchill personifies the fight for freedom against tyranny,” said Kenney. “A lot of cities around the world have Churchill monuments that remember this, the greatest champion of parliamentary democracy, and Calgary deserves the same.”
A small group of protesters emerged as officials removed the tarp from the sculpture. They raised signs emblazoned with quotes from the former British prime minister, highlighting some problematic sentiments from a man they say was more controversial than the day’s speeches had recognized.
Historians have noted Churchill as a divisive figure. While largely remembered as one of the political heroes of the Second World War, critics often point to his history of racist remarks and policy as one of the leaders of the colonial British Empire.
“We don’t think there should be a celebratory statue to this extremely controversial political figure,” said protester William Gillies. “This is 2024. Everything we put on these signs, these disgusting racist quotes, are things that are verifiable, incitable things that Winston Churchill said.”
Advertisement 5
Article content
Randolph said the demonstration Thursday was simply “part of the debate.”
“Actually, I would say that the people who’ve come with their message today have debated with dignity,” he said.
Kenney admitted Churchill was a product of his time and made mistakes, but without him, “the Nazi terror likely would have gone on for years, if not decades longer.”
While he disagreed with the protesters’ message — claiming the quotes were presented without context and uttered, in some cases, more than 100 years ago — Kenney acknowledged their right to be there.
“They’ve got freedom of speech, something that (Churchill) fought for, and I think he’d be happy to see people free to openly criticize him,” said Kenney. “But I think it’s important that we also remember the greatness of the man and his achievements.”
Statues of Churchill in other Canadian cities have faced similar vandalism as those of other controversial political figures. One in Edmonton was doused in red paint in 2021.
Kenney said he hopes the statue in Calgary is treated with respect.
“I hope people have some modicum of dignity and respect and civility,” said Kenney. “It’s fine to publish views where you take exception to parts of Churchill’s record and to have protests — whatever, go for it. But vandalism and violence have no place and I hope people will respect this.”
Article content
 "BCCI want Test specialists to play domestic cricket; Rohit, Virat, Bumrah to be exceptions")
