HERITAGE OTTAWA

The Department of Canadian Heritage has launched an online survey to gather public input into a new, significantly smaller design for a Memorial to the Victims of Communism. 

Heritage Ottawa welcomed Heritage Minister Mélanie Joly's December announcement that the Long Term Vision and Plan for Canada's Capital will be respected. The National Capital Commission (NCC) recently rescinded approval for construction of the monument on a site adjacent to the Supreme Court of Canada. A smaller memorial with a different design will instead be built at the Garden of the Provinces and Territories, pending approval by the NCC's Board of Directors.

"Our national monuments should play a key role in reflecting the character, identity, history and values of Canadians" states a Government of Canada website page describing upcoming projects in the capital. " The Government of Canada is seeking your input on how we can make this new national memorial resonate with us all."

Members of the public can submit their opinions about a new monument design until February 16 via an anonymous survey on the Department of Canadian Heritage website.

Feedback from the public survey will be shared with teams competing in a new national design competition to be launched later this year.