A statue that has been the focus of debate in recent days has been covered with graffiti protesting its very existence.

Nestled on its plinth near the Confederation Building, the statue of Gaspar Corte Real—a Portuguese explorer—sports a new coat of spray paint, bearing phrases of “Slaver” and “Why is this guy still here?”

The statue was gifted to the province in 1965 as a gesture from the Portuguese Fisheries Organization. Its plaque bears a message of appreciation for the hospitality extended to Portuguese crews who fished off the Grand Banks.

But the figure of Corte Real itself is the focus of controversy. Corte Real landed in ‘Terra Nova’ in the 1500s, and is accused of the abduction of dozens of Indigenous people before his departure.

The statue has come under fire in the past, but another push for its removal followed recent efforts to have monuments of notorious historic figures removed in the United States.

The provincial government, meanwhile, says the statue of Corte Real is on its list for re-evaluation.

When the review was announced last month, Premier Ball stated that research will be conducted into other questionable historic structures.