Keep and contextualize

Sir John A Macdonald's government, and the man himself, advocated for and implemented shameful policies towards indigenous people, and he may have been racist even for his time. But negotiating Confederation created a country that is now sincerely trying to work towards reconciliation, and that has brought much good into the world. Sir John had a grand, optimistic view of what Canada could be that we can both celebrate and critique. 

Honour indigenous leaders from our history with statues of their own, or in a way their descendants and communities agree is appropriate. Contextualize the current statue by adding descriptions of Macdonald's life and career, including both virtues and flaws. But don't take it down--we need to respond to his reassessed legacy in a nuanced, thoughtful way. Not with black and white absolutism.