Memorial to Residential School Survivors, Victims Being Built on Parliament Hill

A survivor-led steering group announced on Tuesday that a monument will be built on the west side of Parliament Hill to commemorate survivors and victims of residential schools.

Ottawa appointed the commission in April 2022 to select a site for a national residential school memorial in accordance with one of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s calls to action.

Government General Mary Simon said at a ceremony on Tuesday morning that the monument is an “important” step towards reconciliation.

She said in a speech it will serve as a reminder to lawmakers that the policies they make and enforce have consequences.

The steering committee says it worked in conjunction with the Algonquin Anishinabe Nation and residential school survivors to determine the memorial’s location.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Heritage Secretary Pablo Rodriguez both attended the ceremony.