London city councillors have voted to remove Trooper Mark Wilson's name from a city park and street after past assault allegations recently came to light.
During Tuesday's meeting of council, Mayor Ed Holder brought forward a two-part emergent motion to remove Wilson's name from all city amenities and rename them. Councillors voted to pass that motion 14-1 with Ward 10 Councillor Paul Van Meerbergen opposing.
Last week, Holder told LondonNewsToday.ca that he had asked staff to review all instances where Wilson's name has been used within the city, after the London Free Press reported that Wilson pleaded guilty to assault in a military court-martial in 2004.
While the motion to strip Wilson's name was not met with much pushback, some council members noted that the circumstances surrounding the reason to rename the affected locations is "tragic".
"We do know that a family has lost a son, but that does not change the reality that there is a woman who is still feeling pain," said Ward 2 Councillor Shawn Lewis. "Trooper Wilson gave some honourable service to the country, but he also did something that is wrong. We have to balance both of those things out," Lewis added. "This has been an emotional week having these conversations with individuals, and I hope as we move forward we do so respectfully."
Wilson was killed in Afghanistan in 2006. His name later appeared in a park at 2070 Wallingford Avenue, near Wonderland Road and Sunningdale Road, and a street near the Hale-Trafalgar overpass. His name has also been used for local fundraising events since his death.
Ward 5 Councillor Maureen Cassidy grew emotional during her address to councillors, expressing empathy for the Wilson family and for the woman who came forward with her story.
"A family has lost a son, a brother, a husband and a father. In exchange for this loss, a name on a plaque seems like woefully inadequate compensation," Cassidy said through tears. "What about the other soldier in this story? This soldier, she also risked her life for us. She enlisted knowing those risks, but like so many women that have served in our military, I'm sure she didn't foresee the unique dangers she faced from within," Cassidy said. "This woman is a warrior, and my heart goes out to her."
Following her speech, Cassidy moved to add a third part to Holder's motion to review all city streets named after people, seconded by Ward 9 Councillor Anne Hopkins. Holder noted that while Cassidy's motion seemed well-intended, he did not feel the amendment fit the emergent motion criteria.
"I think it's important that council focuses on the issues of this very moment," Holder said. "This is not the time nor the place [for a review]. Let us deal with the issue that was in front of us as a result of the original emergent motion."
Cassidy subsequently withdrew her amendment but said she plans to bring it to the Community and Protective Services Committee.
City staff will now begin the process of renaming the affected locations with consultation from the community.
London City Council votes 14-1 to remove Trooper Mark Wilson's name from all city amenities. June 14, 2022. (Capture via London Ontario City Council on YouTube.)
