Never Forgotten National Memorial facts for kids

The Mother Canada monument, officially called the Never Forgotten National Memorial, was a planned project in Cape Breton Highlands National Park. It was meant to be a special place to remember Canadian soldiers who fought and died in wars overseas. This monument was designed to be like a partner across the Atlantic Ocean to the Canadian National Vimy Memorial in France.

What Was the Mother Canada Monument?

The project was planned to cost about $25 million. It would have featured a large statue, 24 metres (about 79 feet) tall. This statue would show a sad mother, with her arms reaching out towards Europe. Her pose was meant to connect with the "Canada Bereft" monument at Vimy Ridge in France.

What Else Was Planned?

Besides the main statue, the project also included other buildings. There would have been a centre where visitors could learn about the memorial. Plans also mentioned a restaurant and a shop selling souvenirs.

How Was It Funded?

The money for the monument was supposed to come from donations. A group called the Never Forgotten National Memorial Foundation was in charge of collecting these funds. This foundation was led by a businessman from Toronto named Tony Patrick Trigiani. He first thought of the idea after visiting a Canadian World War I cemetery in Europe.

Why Was There a Debate?

People had very different opinions about the Mother Canada monument. Many people supported the idea. Petitions, which are formal requests, were sent to the Canadian Parliament. These petitions came from various places across Canada, including many communities in Cape Breton.

Who Opposed the Project?

However, a group called Friends of Green Cove strongly disagreed with the project. They started a campaign to share information and send letters. Their main concern was the chosen location for the monument.

The Green Cove Location

The monument was planned for a spot called Green Cove. This area is a beautiful pink granite rock formation along the famous Cabot Trail. It's one of the few places where people can easily reach the ocean. Unlike the Vimy Memorial, Green Cove has no historical military importance. Tony Trigiani, the project leader, did not want to consider other locations.

Was the Location Important to History?

Some people claimed that Green Cove was a significant spot for soldiers leaving Canada. For example, Major-General Lewis MacKenzie (retired) said it was "one of the last sightings of Canada" for troops sailing from Sydney and Halifax.

Checking the Facts

However, this claim was not true. It is impossible to see the Cape Breton Highlands while sailing from Halifax to Europe. A ship would need to be very close to shore for the land to be visible. Another person, Lt. Col. Ferguson Mobbs (retired), said the statue would stand on what was the "easternmost point of Canada in 1914." This was also incorrect. Even the Fortress of Louisbourg is farther east than Green Cove. The true easternmost point of Cape Breton is a small area northeast of Louisbourg.

Why the Project Was Cancelled

The Mother Canada project was first approved by the Conservative government led by Stephen Harper. This government even gave $100,000 to the memorial foundation without much public discussion.

Cancellation by Parks Canada

After the 2015 Canadian federal election, a new Liberal government came to power. In February 2016, Parks Canada cancelled the project. This decision came after many people spoke out against it. Some wanted to keep the Green Cove site in its natural state. Others felt the monument itself was not appropriate. For example, The Globe and Mail newspaper described it as "hubristic, ugly and just plain wrong."