Memorial to the Victims of Communism – Canada, a Land of Refuge facts for kids

The Memorial to the Victims of Communism – Canada, a Land of Refuge is a special monument being built in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. It is designed to remember the millions of people who suffered or died under communist governments around the world. It also celebrates Canada as a safe place for those who escaped these difficult situations.

This monument has been a topic of discussion for a while. Its location was changed, and its design was updated to make sure it would be a place for everyone to reflect and learn. Construction started in late 2019 and is expected to finish in 2020.

The winning design for the monument is called Arc of Memory. It was created by architect Paul Raff and his team. The design features two curved metal walls, about 21 meters long and almost 4 meters high. These walls hold more than 4,000 small bronze rods. Each rod points to a different angle of the sun, representing every hour of every day for a whole year.

The monument is split in the middle at the point representing the shortest day of the year (winter solstice). This split invites visitors to walk through it, symbolizing a journey from darkness and hardship to freedom and hope.

How the Idea Started

The idea for this monument began in 2007. Jason Kenney, who was a government minister at the time, visited a park in Toronto. There, he saw a statue called Crucified Again. This statue showed a person on a hammer and sickle (a symbol of communism) and remembered people who suffered under the Soviet Union.

Mr. Kenney thought that more people should see such a monument. He talked about creating a similar memorial in Ottawa.

Building the Monument Idea

The next year, a charity called Tribute to Liberty was created. Its goal was to build a monument to the victims of Communism. The group's board members came from different ethnic communities. Their families had often come from countries that were, or still are, communist.

In 2009, the National Capital Commission (a government agency that plans and develops Canada's capital region) approved the idea for the monument. They suggested changing the monument's original name to be more general, but the group decided to keep the focus on victims of communism, though they dropped the word "totalitarian."

Location and Design Changes

In 2011, the National Capital Commission first approved a spot for the monument in the Garden of the Provinces and Territories. However, in 2012, the government at the time decided to move it to a more noticeable spot. This new location was between the Supreme Court of Canada and the National Library of Canada. This area had been planned for a new federal court building for over a century.

Concerns About the Location

The Chief Justice of Canada, Beverley McLachlin, shared her worries about this new location. She felt that putting the memorial there might send the wrong message. She thought it could make the area, which is meant for justice, seem sad or harsh.

A design was chosen in 2014. It featured concrete rows with millions of "memory squares" to remember victims. However, some people on the design selection jury felt that the choices they had were not very good. One architect, Shirley Blumberg, described the chosen design as "brutalist," meaning it looked very harsh and strong.

In June 2015, the National Capital Commission changed the design. They made it smaller, reduced its height, and moved it further back from Wellington Street. They also changed its main focus to tell the stories of refugees who came to Canada from communist countries.

New Government, New Plan

The government that was in power before had promised $3 million for the monument. The rest of the money was to be raised by Tribute to Liberty. However, after the 2015 election, a new government came into power.

At first, it seemed no government money would go to the project. But later, it was announced that the total cost of the project would be capped at $3 million, down from $5.5 million. The government would contribute $1.5 million, and Tribute to Liberty would raise the rest. This meant the government's financial help was cut in half.

Choosing a New Design

The new Heritage Minister, Mélanie Joly, asked for a new design for the monument. She wanted the public to be involved in choosing the design from the very beginning.

On December 17, 2015, the government asked for the monument's site to be moved back to the Garden of the Provinces and Territories. They also requested a new design. On January 20, 2016, the National Capital Commission agreed to cancel the previous approval for the Supreme Court site.

An online survey was launched in February 2016 to ask Canadians for their thoughts on the monument. The results were given to the design teams. The designs from the five finalists were shown on March 2, 2017. The winning design was announced in May. The monument, now called Canada: A Place of Refuge, will honor Canada's role in helping people escape injustice and remember those who suffered under communist rule. Work on the monument finally began in November 2019.

See also

In Spanish: Monumento a las Víctimas del Comunismo - Canadá, una tierra de refugio para niños