Memorial to Victims of Communism finally unveiled, but controversy lingers

After years of controversy and delays, Canada’s Memorial to the Victims of Communism was finally unveiled in Ottawa on Thursday. The memorial, located at the Garden of the Provinces and Territories on Wellington Street, consists of 4,000 metal rods woven into two undulating walls.

The public unveiling was met with disappointment as no one from the Liberal government attended the ceremony. Etobicoke Centre MP Yvan Baker, who was expected to speak at the event, expressed his disappointment in the absence of the prime minister and the lack of wholehearted support from the current administration.

Despite the controversy surrounding the project, many see the memorial as an important reminder of the atrocities committed under communist regimes around the world. Andrew Kavchak, whose parents were political refugees from eastern Europe, emphasized the significance of remembering the victims of communism.

One of the key features of the memorial is a wall of remembrance that was intended to feature the names of victims. However, at the unveiling, the plaques remained blank. It was revealed in 2021 that private donations to the project had been made in honor of known fascists and Nazi collaborators, leading to concerns about the vetting process for adding names to the memorial.

Canadian Heritage has been tasked with vetting the names that will eventually be added to the memorial. History professor Roman Krakovsky, who has assisted with the vetting process, highlighted the complexity of the issue, especially for individuals from parts of Europe that were occupied by both the Soviets and the Nazis during World War II.

While there have been challenges and controversies surrounding the memorial, the board of directors of Tribute to Liberty remains committed to ensuring that the names added to the memorial are properly vetted. The project, which was initially supposed to cost $1.5 million, ended up with a budget of $5.5 million, with a significant taxpayer contribution.

Despite the challenges and controversies, the Memorial to the Victims of Communism stands as a solemn reminder of the millions who suffered under oppressive communist regimes. The unveiling of the memorial may have been marred by controversy, but its importance in honoring the memory of the victims remains paramount.