National Monument to Canada’s Mission To Afghanistan

Sep 6

Location: East side of Booth Street, north of the National Holocaust Monument and across the street from the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa, Ontario

Client: Canada Heritage, Veterans Affairs, National Capital Commission

Project Start Date: Competition Start: 2020
Design & Construction Contract Start: Fall 2023

Project End Date: November 2026

Project Type:

Civic
Design Competitions
Parks, Recreation and Open Space
Public Art Coordination
Streetscapes

About the Project

In 2019, Canada Heritage, on behalf of Veterans Affairs, launched the design competition for the National Monument to Canada’s Mission in Afghanistan. The National Monument to Canada's Mission in Afghanistan is to recognize the commitment and sacrifice of Canadians who served in Afghanistan, and the support provided to them by Canadians at home.

The Monument will be built on the east side of Booth Street, north of the National Holocaust Monument and across the street from the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa. This beautiful grassy site, next to an inlet and steps away from the Museum, will be a place of reflection where Canadians can honour and remember the courage and sacrifices of the men and women who served during our country’s mission in Afghanistan. The Monument will ensure that future generations have the opportunity to learn more about the Mission and Canada’s efforts in helping to rebuild Afghanistan. Veterans, families of the fallen, serving military and the public were invited to review the finalists’ proposals before a design is chosen.

At the conclusion of a pre-qualification process, five teams were shortlisted to proceed with a design proposal for the monument. The MBTW Group was part of the shortlisted team, Team Stimson, which is led by Adrian Stimson, visual artist (Siksika Nation, Alberta) and included LeuWebb Projects (Public Art Coordinators, Toronto) amongst a host of technical sub-consultants.

Team Stimson was selected as the preferred team in summer of 2023, by the government, to proceed with the detailed design and construction contract for the Monument. This work is currently underway.

Team Stimson Design Intent

Drawing on elements of healing from the concept of the Medicine Wheel, the Team design takes the form of a circular, sacred space of safety, a “home base” of reflection, memory, and contemplation. Entering through one of its four portals, you are in an interior area parallel to the safe space found within a forward operating base. This area is the sanctuary where the fallen are remembered. Corten steel walls surround and protect the space.

Inscribed on the walls of three of the quadrants is the year and the names of the fallen. The fourth southeast quadrant wall facing the direction of Afghanistan is dedicated to fallen Afghan Allies. In the centre, four bronze flak jackets stand draped on supports, utilitarian yet poignant reminders of protection.

The sense of safety and enclosure of the circular Monument ‘proper’ or plaza is further enhanced with a surrounding of native soft landscaping and trees selected for their significance in Indigenous cultures, a network of accessible walkways and tasteful lighting.

Taken together, this Monument creates a powerful opportunity to honour and reflect, to seek balance and healing, for all Canadians.

Services: