2SLGBTQI+ National Monument

Between the 1950s and mid-1990s, 2SLGBTQI+ members of the Canadian Armed Forces, the RCMP and the Federal Public Service were systematically discriminated against, harassed and often fired as a matter of policy and sanctioned practice. In what came to be known as the LGBT Purge, people were followed, interrogated, arrested, abused and traumatized. The LGBT Purge was implemented at the highest levels of the Government of Canada and was done without regard for the dignity, privacy and humanity of its targets. An estimated 9,000 lives were devastated by the Purge.

 

The 2SLGBTQI+ National Monument will be a visible landmark that will recognize the generations of 2SLGBTQI+ people in Canada and tell the story of those who have been persecuted, abused, dismissed and marginalized because of whom they desire and how they identify. It will generally acknowledge the discrimination experienced by the 2SLGBTQI+ community, specifically the abuse perpetrated by the Canadian state on its people during the LGBT Purge.

 

The design of the Monument, called Thunderhead, draws on the symbolism of a thunderhead cloud, which embodies the strength, activism and hope of 2SLGBTQI+ communities.

 

Located at 201 Wellington Street, Ottawa, ON, the site is owned by the National Capital Commission (NCC) and is currently occupied by a small park and is adjacent to the Parliament parking lot. Prior to the start of construction of the monument, a separate project led by Public Service and Procurement Canada (PSPC) will disturb the site to install infrastructure related to the Energy Services Acquisition Program (ESAP).

 

The project implementation will start in the spring of 2024 with an inauguration planned for early summer 2025.

 

Major components of the design include:

  • Thunderhead: At the centre of the site is Thunderhead, a 11m tall cloud-like void inside a monolithic concrete column. Thunderhead is lined with a delicate and reflective disco ball-like glass tile. The intent is to evoke a cloud bursting from the constraints of a seemingly dominant form.
  • The event lawn: a sloped lawn for gathering and celebration is provided at the centre of the Monument and can accommodate up to 2000 people.
  • The Tribute area: composed of semicircle seating and a sugar maple, the Tribute area is a quiet place for reflection and remembrance
  • The park area: the eastern portion of the site includes a medicinal garden, a Healing Circle, and a fruit orchard. 
  • Other elements: internal pathways, site furnishing, interpretive panels and lighting are also provided in the design.

Construction of the project will include:

  • Soil excavation
  • Major elements construction including foundations
  • Site services: electrical work
  • Landscape work: grading, pathways, retaining walls, and plantings

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Latest update

August 29, 2023 – The National Capital Commission issued its Notice of Determination and determined that the project is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

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Key documents

Key documents
Document Number Document Title File Date
2 Notice of Determination - August 29, 2023
1 Notice of Intent to Make a Determination - Start of Public Comment Period - March 15, 2023

Contacts

National Capital Commission
Environmental Assessment
40 Elgin Street
Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5A8
Email: IA-EI@ncc-ccn.ca


  • Location

    • City of Ottawa (Ontario)
  • Nature of Activity

    • Other, not otherwise specified
  • Assessment Status

    Completed
  • Start Date

    2023-03-15
  • Proponent

    National Capital Commission
  • Authorities

    • Canadian Heritage
    • National Capital Commission
  • Assessment Type

    Project on federal lands
  • Reference Number

    84411
Disclaimer

This map is for illustrative purposes. The markers represent the approximate locations based on available data. More than one marker may be identified for a given assessment.

 

Nearby assessments

...within 200 kilometres
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