Proposal called “Inappropriate” and “Disrespectful” by Liberals

February 26, 2015

OTTAWA – Peter Van Loan, MP for York-Simcoe is shocked that Justin Trudeau and the Liberal Party are seeking to have the Memorial to the Victims of Communism moved away from the parliamentary precinct.

The Federal Liberal Party announced Thursday that they believe the proposed memorial beside the Supreme Court to be “inappropriate” and “disrespectful”. The Liberals want to see it moved to a less prominent location.

“Our Government deliberately chose a prominent location for this important memorial”, said Peter Van Loan. “Any attempt to hide, diminish, or down play this memorial is unacceptable. Canada is a world leader in standing for freedom, democracy and human rights. This memorial deserves its high profile location so that future generations never forget the horrors of communism over the past century.”

“This is insulting to the victims of communism and shows poor judgment by Trudeau at a time when the old ghost of the Soviet Union is resurfacing under Vladimir Putin’s military aggression”, said Conservative MP Peter Van Loan. “It is now even more important to remember those victims and that western values should not be taken for granted. Our Government will continue to strongly support this memorial and will not back down on keeping the memorial in the prominent, respectful location that was chosen.” Van Loan has Estonian roots, with many family members who lost their lives at the hands of the Soviet communists.

The planned location is beside the Supreme Court of Canada and Library and Archives Canada, with views toward the Peace Tower and other key federal institutions. The lot has been unused for decades with only talk of using it for a federal office building. There is also a strong thematic connection with its proximity to the Supreme Court and Parliament, underlining that we must never take for granted our core values of freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law.

This national memorial will create awareness of the horrors of communism and pay tribute to the more than 100 million people worldwide who perished or suffered under communist tyranny, including the tens of thousands of Estonians, Latvians and Lithuanians under Soviet oppression. It will recognize Canada’s role in offering refuge to millions who fled from communist regimes for a new beginning in a free and democratic country. About eight million Canadians trace their roots to countries that lived or still live under communism, forming a significant part of Canada’s national history.

“When I was a child, I saw a prominent Trudeau literally embrace communist leaders like Brezhnev, Kosygin and Castro, even as they oppressed millions. With the benefit of history and the collapse of communism, I am shocked and disappointed to see another Trudeau trying to hide the memory of the horrors of communist oppression.”



Darlene Stone

Office of the Honourable Peter Van Loan,

MP for York-Simcoe
(613) 996-7752

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