The base of the Samuel de Champlain monument at Couchiching Beach Park in Orillia has been vandalized.
Red paint has been put on the base as well as on the steps leading up to it on each side. There was no monument on the base, and hasn't been one since 2017.
The monument has been a controversial topic in town since it was removed in 2017 for restoration and repairs. The controversy continued when Parks Canada announced a reconfigured monument would return. The new base that was vandalized is the only part of the monument has been returned so far.
Parks Canada and the OPP have not yet responded to requests for comment.
