Two major monuments envisaged for Canada continue to elicit controversy and resistance.
In once case the large monument slated for Cape Breton Highlands National Park in east coast Canada, had seen some big names withdrawn.
That monument to Canada’s war dead proposed by the Never Forgotten National Memorial Foundation, wants to build a $25 million dollar memorial featuring a 24 metre high statue of a woman with arms outstretched looking out over the Atlantic towards Europe. There would also be parking for 300 vehicles, a restaurant, souvenir shop, and interpretive centre.\
Big names removed by patrons list
This week, three names well-known to Canadians, who had been listed as patrons of the project, have withdrawn their names.
Peter Mansbridge, longtime anchor of the national news on CBC, the public broadcaster, Lisa Laflamme, and Lloyd Robinson, both from the private broadcaster CTV and also nationally known hosts and journalists.
In an email explaining why he had his name removed Mansbridge said, “I decided you can’t cover a controversy by being in one. It’s become a widespread controversy now.
Critics have used words like, “vulgar” and “ostentatious” among many others, and others say it is inappropriate for a national park and is against the ecological integrity of the park.
In fact in June, some 28 former Parks Canada managers wrote an open letter to the Minister of the Environment, criticizing the idea of the monument in the park, saying any development in a national park should be for enhancing ecological integrity and not for the sake of development. The letter adds that the project, which had been approved by Parks Canada, “is in violation of the site’s wilderness zone designation as detailed in the management plan for the park,”
Supporters say it’s a fitting memorial and will boost tourism in the region and bring in sorely needed monies.
The CBC reports that the Never Forgotten War Memorial group wouldn’t say how much money has been raised so far.
Victims of Communism
Another controvery continues in the national capital over another large memorial, this one to victims of communism.
A lawsuit has been filed by the Royal Architectural Insitute of Canada along with a local group, Heritage Ottawa, and two architects.
They say they do not oppose the idea of the memorial, but say the National Capital Commision (NCC) in its hast decision to proceed with the memorial, violated it’s own rules for development in the capital as well as the National Capital Act itself
Many groups and individuals have criticized both the lack of public consultation in the process to approve the memorial, and the location.
The site had long been reserved for a new federal court building in keeping with other judicial and legislative buildings along the particular section of a major road through Ottawa.
The NCC recently unveiled a revised version which would see the memorial occupying 37 percent of the site and with a height of eight metres, both reduced from the original idea of 60 percent coverage of the site and a height of 14.5 metres.
Proponents of the site say some 8 million Canadians can trace roots back to Communist countries.
This past Sunday a radio programme on the national broadcaster CBC, with 3 victims of Communist regimes elicted strong reaction. Two of the guests are in favour, one opposed. The level of controversy was evident inCanadians posting comment to the website with strong opinions both sides, for and against. Many posters say they are against the monument not for what it is, but for how it has been pushed through and also the location.
Video by the Tribute to Liberty memorial on their website and on YouTube (2;19)
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