COMMEMORATION ADVISORY GROUP STAKEHOLDER SUMMIT OCTOBER 5-6, 2016

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1 COMMEMORATION ADVISORY GROUP STAKEHOLDER SUMMIT OCTOBER 5-6, 2016

2 Mandate The Commemoration Advisory Group s mandate, as agreed at its first face-to-face meeting on July 14, 2016, is to: provide advice to the Minister of Veterans Affairs on how Veterans Affairs Canada, through its Canada Remembers Program, can engage Canadians in paying tribute to all those who have served Canada since Confederation, including those who died in service, Veterans who are no longer with us and today s Veterans. 2

3 Membership Richard Blackwolf, Canadian Aboriginal Veterans and Serving Members Association Linda Brunet, Encounters With Canada Steven Clark, Royal Canadian Legion Co-chair, Dr. Stephen Harris, Chief Historian and Acting Director, Directorate of History and Heritage, National Defence Derrill Henderson, National Council of Veteran Associations in Canada and Hong Kong Veterans Association of Canada Captain (retired) Michel Houle, Veterans UN-NATO Canada Captain (retired) Ray Kokkonen, Canadian Peacekeeping Veterans Association Commander Dan Manu-Popa, Canadian Joint Operations Command, CAF Major (retired) Gerry Wharton, ANAVETS Dr. Lee Windsor, University of New Brunswick Gregg Centre VAC co-chair, DG Commemoration, Hélène Robichaud 3

4 Canada Remembers Program and Recognition Canada Remembers Program activities overview including domestic and overseas commemoration of the centennial of the Battles of the Somme and Beaumont-Hamel and Veterans Week 2016 The Group discussed the topic of recognition, noting: Canada often takes a somber approach towards remembrance There is a need for balance in honouring the fallen and Veterans Recognition should include Veterans families Veterans Affairs Canada s Heroes Remember online feature, including testimonials of Veterans, is successful in reaching youth The CF1 card does not meet the needs of Veterans; there is a lack of public awareness regarding the card A Veteran identification card, supported by outreach efforts, could be explored 4

5 National Memorial to Canada s Mission in Afghanistan Intent of the National Memorial is to recognize the commitment and sacrifice of Canadians who served in Afghanistan as well as the support of those at home. Presentations were made to the Commemoration Advisory Group by Canadian Heritage and the National Capital Commission on four sites in Ottawa: A. Richmond Landing Upper Plaza B. West of the Canadian War Museum C. Cartier Square Drill Hall D. Lawn of the Canadian Phalanx 5

6 Four sites considered Richmond Landing Upper Plaza Cartier Square Drill Hall Lawn of Canadian Phalanx West of War Museum 6

7 A. Richmond Landing Upper Plaza 7

8 A. Richmond Landing Upper Plaza - Context Characteristics NCC owned ± 800 m² Current Uses Vacant plaza Urban park Thematic Link Proximity to Royal Canadian Navy Monument View of Peace Tower Richmond Landing: a historical military landing Access & Visibility Future NCC universal accessibility improvement project (expected completion: 2018) Future NCC Richmond Landing Shoreline Access project (expected completion: 2019) Visible from recreational pathways, Portage Bridge On Confederation Boulevard ceremonial route

9 A. Richmond Landing Upper Plaza - Analysis Pros Good visibility and views NCC ownership/long-term maintenance Thematic link Future redevelopment of Richmond Landing will facilitate access to area Transformation of Chaudière Islands (expected phase 1 completion: 2018) into a mixed-use, sustainable community will raise profile of general area and increase visitation Proximity to recreational pathways Existing View of Site Cons Noise level Soil contamination may impact project schedule 9

10 A. Richmond Landing Future Development & Renderings of the area Richmond Landing Future Development Zibi Development at Chaudières Islands Chaudière Islands Proposed Development 10

11 B. West of Canadian War Museum Canadian War Museum 11

12 B. West of Canadian War Museum - Context Characteristics NCC owned 2,500 m² Park-like setting Current Uses Greenspace adjacent to recreational pathway, event site and historical interpretation node Thematic Link Canadian War Museum Partial view of Peace Tower Access & Visibility Universally accessible Visible from Canadian War Museum, Vimy Place roadway, Sir John A. MacDonald parkway, recreational pathway and Ottawa River

13 B. West of Canadian War Museum - Analysis Pros NCC ownership/long-term maintenance Thematic link Scenic views Quiet, serene site Good access, proximity to recreational pathway Proximity of Chaudière Islands and LeBreton Flat developments 2 Cons Significant soil contamination will impact project schedule

14 C. Cartier Square Drill Hall Ottawa City Hall 14

15 C. Cartier Square Drill Hall - Context Characteristics NCC and DND owned ± 1,500 m² Current Uses Urban park setting Near municipal Firefighters Memorial Thematic Link DND HQ, Drill Hall Adjacent to the Rideau Canal Unesco World Heritage Site Access & Visibility Universally accessible Visible from Laurier Avenue West, Cartier Square Drill Hall, DND HQ, Rideau Canal

16 C. Cartier Square Drill Hall - Analysis Ottawa City Hall Pros Thematic link Good visibility and access Cons Commemoration space for Ottawa Reserve Army Unit Noise and vehicular traffic level Underground infrastructures may impact project roll-out Possible emanations from future nearby sewage odor control facility

17 D. Lawn of Canadian Phalanx 17

18 D. Lawn of Canadian Phalanx - Context Characteristics City of Ottawa owned 350 m² Current Uses Unused lawn Thematic Link Other military commemorations nearby (Canadian Phalanx, Memorial Arch, Memorial Buildings) Access and visibility Universally accessible Visible from Wellington and Lyons Streets On Confederation Boulevard ceremonial route

19 D. Lawn of Canadian Phalanx - Analysis Pros High visibility and easy access Thematic link Cons Non-federal ownership will require discussions/negotiations with City of Ottawa and will impact project schedule Noise and vehicular traffic level Limited gathering space/may require road closures for ceremonies Integration of new memorial may impact experience of other commemorations already on site Existing municipal underground infrastructure may impact project schedule 19

20 National Memorial to Canada s Mission in Afghanistan - Recommendation Considerations associated with each site were discussed: - Accessibility - Proximity to public transit - Parking - Environmental impacts - Assembly space - Noise levels - Presence of other monuments - Future plans for the sites The majority agreed to recommending that the group endorse Richmond Landing as a preferred site for the memorial. - 6 members in favour; 2 opposed; 2 absent 20