"I don't mind being a symbol but I don't want to become a monument. There are monuments all over the Parliament Buildings and I've seen what the pigeons do to them"

Tommy Douglas was a Canadian political leader and also social lobbyist that is best known for presenting universal healthcare in Canada. In this quote, he is expressing his need to be remembered for his achievements, yet not to be venerated to the factor of coming to be a monolith. He is making a contrast between himself and also the monoliths discovered in the Parliament Buildings, which he has seen come to be weakened by pigeons. This quote speaks with Douglas' humility and his desire to be born in mind for his work, but not to be admired. He is suggesting that he would rather be remembered for his accomplishments than to be become a monument. This quote also speaks to Douglas' understanding of the brevity of monoliths, as well as just how they can be degraded in time. He is recommending that he prefer to be kept in mind for his job than to be turned into a monument that will become forgotten.