Canada's proposed Afghanistan war memorial is facing sharp criticism from the very people it is meant to honor: the Canadian veterans who served in the 12-year conflict. Ground was officially broken on the National Monument to Canada's Mission in Afghanistan at Lebreton Flats, near Ottawa's Canadian War Museum, last Monday. However, many veterans felt sidelined during a ceremony that emphasized the project itself rather than the sacrifices of those who fought.
Veterans Express Disappointment
Sean Maloney, a history professor at the Royal Military College of Canada, voiced strong disapproval. 'The Ottawa bubble is an ecosystem that does what it wants. It sets up these things to say that they consulted and then go ahead and do whatever they want,' he said. Maloney described the event as 'a pathetic attempt at commemoration.'
Conservative MP Alex Ruff, who served two tours in Afghanistan, acknowledged the ceremony was 'very solemn and well put together,' but noted that by that afternoon, his phone was flooded with feedback from fellow veterans. 'They were a little disappointed that Afghan vets weren't front and centre at the groundbreaking,' Ruff said. 'It was more about the project, not the actual people that the project's designed for.'
Delays and Design Concerns
Afghanistan was Canada's longest combat deployment, with over 40,000 troops serving, yet the monument—expected to cost $5 million—won't be finished until late 2028. Former prime minister Stephen Harper committed to the project in 2014, but it faced delays, including a controversial relocation from Richmond Landing due to accessibility issues. The current design features an Indigenous-inspired 'Medicine Wheel,' which some veterans feel does not reflect their experiences.
'This is Canada, everything takes so long,' Maloney said. 'We can't do anything efficiently and quickly in this country at all.' Ruff echoed the sentiment, noting the biggest criticism he hears is, 'Why did this take so long?'
Future Unveilings Must Improve
Ruff emphasized that the official unveiling in 2028 must do a better job of prioritizing veterans. 'When this project actually gets built and we do the official unveiling of it, we need to do a better job,' he said. Veterans Affairs Canada could not confirm how many Afghan veterans attended the groundbreaking, but spokesperson Marc Lescoutre stated that a livestream was provided to ensure broader access. The department aims to make the 2028 unveiling accessible to as many Afghanistan veterans and families of the fallen as possible.
