Government seeks feedback on memorial to victims of communism

Heritage Minister Mlanie Jolyis inviting Canadians to offer feedback online in the next two weeks about the design of the controversial victims of communism memorial.

• Find the online survey here

The Memorial to the Victims of Communism, a project of private group Tribute to Liberty that was championed by the former Conservative government, was slatedto be built onland in front of the Supreme Court of Canada building on Wellington Street.

But theNational Capital Commission rescinded the use of the land after Joly joined a host of critics in declaring the monument should be built further west in the Garden of the Provinces and Territories.

The winning design for the proposed monument was also previously criticized for its scale, leading the NCC to unveil a smaller, less intrusive design last summer.

TheDepartment of Canadian Heritage is now seeking a new design, which is expected to be completed in the Garden of Provinces and Territories by 2018.

The public can participate in an online survey from Feb. 2-16 to offer feedback on the size, "desired emotional reaction," and "visitor experience" of the monument.

The feedback will be passed along to competing design teams to help them develop proposals for the monument.

"Commemorative monuments play a key role in reflecting the character, identity, history and values of Canadians. I call on all Canadians to share their vision for this new national memorial, and for how we honour the millions of people who fled communist regimes to find refuge in Canada," Jolysaid in a news release on Tuesday.