Question Period Note: National Memorial to Canada’s Mission in Afghanistan

The proposed National Monument to Canada’s Mission in Afghanistan will recognize the commitment and sacrifice of Canadian men and women who served in Afghanistan, as well as the support provided to them by Canadians at home.

• The National Monument to Canada’s Mission in Afghanistan project was announced by the Government of Canada on May 8, 2014.
• The monument project was put forth to recognize the commitment and sacrifice of Canadian men and women who served in Afghanistan, as well as the support provided to them by Canadians at home.
• The Monument site was announced on June 20, 2019, followed by the launch of a national design competition on August 2, 2019.

• The National Monument to Canada’s Mission in Afghanistan was announced by the Government of Canada on May 8, 2014, the eve of the National Day of Honour recognizing the end of Canada’s Mission in Afghanistan.
• Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) is the project sponsor. The Department of Canadian Heritage (PCH), which facilitates the development of new commemorative monuments of national significance on federal lands in Canada’s Capital Region, is the project lead.
• On behalf of Canadian Heritage, the National Capital Commission (NCC) will manage the design development and construction phases and, as landowner, will assume ownership and long-term maintenance of the completed monument.
• In March 2019, VAC confirmed its preferred site was LeBreton Flats, located north of the National Holocaust Monument on the east side of Booth Street, across from the Canadian War Museum, following an extensive site selection process.
• On June 20, 2019, the NCC Board of Directors granted Federal Land Use Approval of the site for the Monument.
• On August 2, 2019, a national design competition was launched to select a design for the Monument. The first phase of the competition, the Request for Qualifications, closes on January 17, 2020. A jury of experts will review the submissions and invite five design teams to develop design proposals.
• In early 2020, VAC will consult with Veterans, affected families and other stakeholders on elements that will inform the design guidelines provided to finalist teams.
• The finalist teams will be announced in spring 2020, and will have until November 2020 to develop their proposals.
• The winning design will be announced in early 2021, beginning the design development and construction phases.
• The Monument is currently scheduled to be completed in late 2023.

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