Samuel de Champlain monument to return to Couchiching Beach Park

Workmen reinstall the Samuel de Champlain statue in Couchiching Beach Park. Thu., May 21, 2026. PHOTO: CONNOR EARL

The bronze monument of Samuel de Champlain will be returning to Orillia

Parks Canada has agreed to bring the Canadian explorer figure back to its former spot in Couchiching Beach Park.

It’s been several years since the monument was taken down after opposition was raised by First Nations members.

Mayor Don McIsaac said it won’t be going back as it was originally mounted.

“As a nod towards First Nations, we’re removing the Recollect Father, because we thought that was a divisive statue, so we’re keeping him out of the equation at this point,” McIsaac told CTV News Barrie in March.

“What we have is what we think is a very good approach to it,” he said.