Newfoundland and Labrador’s new Progressive Conservative government has decided not to uphold the previous commitment made by the former Liberal government to provide funding for the Amelia Earhart statue project in Harbour Grace. The newly appointed Minister of Women and Gender Equality, Helen Conway Ottenheimer, has criticized the efforts of Liberal Pam Parsons, the MHA for Harbour Grace-Port de Grave, calling them “disingenuous.”
Conway Ottenheimer, in a written statement, explained that the funding originally allocated for the statue is no longer needed since the statue has been recovered and is undergoing restoration. She also pointed out that Parsons’ public statements have been misleading and incomplete regarding the status of the Amelia Earhart statue project.
The bronze statue, weighing 120 kilograms, was stolen in late April from its location at Spirit of Harbour Grace Park. Following a national outcry, a $25,000 reward was raised to aid in the recovery of the statue, which was eventually found in pieces and discarded off Route 74 by resident Elaine Traverse of Heart’s Delight-Islington.
Sculptor Morgan MacDonald was contracted by the Town of Harbour Grace to restore the statue, which has been reinforced with a new stainless steel frame. The town is currently in the process of constructing a new base for the statue at the park where it has been exhibited since 2007.
Despite claims by Parsons that the government funding was crucial for the project, Conway Ottenheimer clarified that the restoration costs are covered by the town’s insurance policy. Parsons, now in the Opposition, continues to advocate for the funding, emphasizing the importance of enhancing security and accessibility at the park.
Conway Ottenheimer also corrected Parsons’ statement regarding the number of statues honoring women in the province, noting that there are five such statues, including those of Amelia Earhart, Armine Nutting-Gosling, Shanawdithit, and two statues of Demasduit. She mentioned that her department is collaborating with partners to identify new initiatives supporting women’s contributions to the province’s history with the unutilized funding previously intended for the Amelia Earhart statue project.