Question Period Note: Memorial to the Victims of Communism

The Memorial to the Victims of Communism—Canada, a Land of Refuge has recently begun construction and fabrication. Work on site is expected to be completed by Summer 2020, at which time the monument will be unveiled.

• On May 17, 2017, the Government of Canada announced that Team Raff’s proposal “Arc of Memory” was chosen as the winning design for the Memorial to the Victims of Communism–Canada, a Land of Refuge.
• On June 21, 2018, the National Capital Commission Board of Directors granted Federal Design Approval for the Memorial.
• On November 7, 2019, construction began at the Memorial site. The Memorial is expected to be completed by Spring/Summer 2020.
• The Memorial will reflect fundamental Canadian values and encourage visitors to contemplate the importance of freedom.

• The Memorial to the Victims of Communism–Canada, a Land of Refuge, will recognize Canada’s role as a place of refuge for people fleeing injustice, persecution and oppression. It is intended to commemorate the millions of victims of communism worldwide and in Canada.
• The project proponent is Tribute to Liberty, a charitable organization.
• The Department of Canadian Heritage is responsible for the overall project management of the Memorial. The National Capital Commission (NCC) is responsible for securing Federal Land Use and Design Approvals and for managing the implementation and construction phase of the project.
• In February 2016, the Department hosted an online public consultation to seek input from Canadians on the Memorial design. The Department shared the survey results with stakeholders during a roundtable and the results were also posted online.
• On June 2, 2016, the NCC granted Federal Land Use Approval for the site at the Garden of the Provinces and Territories.
• On August 29, 2016, a design competition process was launched taking into consideration the feedback from the survey and roundtable. Canadians were also invited to comment on the finalist design proposals.
• On May 17, 2017, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage (Multiculturalism) announced the winning design, “Arc of Memory”, by Team Raff.
• On June 21, 2018, the National Capital Commission Board of Directors granted Federal Design Approval for the Memorial.
• The Memorial features a sculptural array of over 4,000 bronze rods that signify the many moments of suffering and injustice and invite visitors to reflect on Canada as a free and welcoming country.
• The Memorial will also feature a Wall of Remembrance that will display the names of up to 1,000 individuals from different Canadian ethno-cultural communities who have chosen Canada as a land of refuge. Donors contributing between $1,000 and $24,999 will present the names of a victim or victim group affected by communism. These names will be linked to a website to be developed and hosted by Tribute to Liberty that will share the personal stories of these individuals.
• On November 7, 2019, construction began at the Memorial site for the plinth or base that will support the main sculptural piece, the Arc of Memory, which is being fabricated in Toronto by Paul Raff Studio.
• The sculpture is expected to be completed and installed by Spring/Summer 2020, to be followed by the Memorial inauguration.

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