WAWA, ON – The iconic goose that overlooks the Northern Ontario town of Wawa has been a hotbed for controversy after a formal petition was launched to remove the statue which glorifies the town’s controversial founder.
The 8.5 m statue of the famous Canada Goose was first erected in 1960 to commemorate the Founding Gander, which has since been replaced twice since being erected.
While the flock’s leader was known for being the first to establish nests in what would become Wawa, his treatment towards other birds, people, and just being a prick in general has been an issue with many community members.
“Back then, he was known to pick fights with anyone who came anyone near him or his brood,” explained Nick Carlbite who started the petition to remove the statue near the Trans-Canada Highway. “He was also known for his hissing at anything or anyone, and took a shit wherever he wanted.
I’m not sure why we ever wanted to commemorate such an asshole-for-a-bird.”
However, some locals honked in support for their feathered leader.
“The goose built this town,” said longtime resident Ernest Longfellow. “If you take down his statue, people will forget their history about Wawa’s first waterfowl. People might even forget about geese in general.”
Others have pleaded for a more nuanced interpretation of the statue to put it within context of being a goose.
“If the statue included another statue of some unsuspecting person being bitten by the goose,” said Sharon Blair, “it could really balance in the historical context.”
