Placement of ‘Mother Canada’ statue has Cape Bretoners on war footing

darkbeaver

the universe is electric
Jan 26, 2006
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RR1 Distopia 666 Discordia
300 parking spaces = 300 cars and at least that many tourists - who'll stop at your local Wendys and put money in your pockets. What's to gripe about? They couldn't very well choose a better-suited (and probably a more grateful) Newfoundland because it wasn't a part of Canada until after the war.

What tourists?
 

lone wolf

Grossly Underrated
Nov 25, 2006
32,493
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In the bush near Sudbury
The same ones attracted to parks locals aren't allowed to access.

The statue may well be hideous. I appreciate it as a nod to the many hundreds of civilian merchant mariners and Ferry Command people who never made it home.
 

#juan

Hall of Fame Member
Aug 30, 2005
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If you're going to construct a huge statue like this, it should be the best or the biggest. This one is neither. I'm guessing that large amount of federal money was spent on this "monument" .......Too bad more thought wasn't applied.
 

#juan

Hall of Fame Member
Aug 30, 2005
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I've been looking for the cost of this sculpture. So far all I've got is "between 25 and 60 million dollars. I'm guessing that it is closer to 60 million than 25 million. I'll keep looking...;.
 

lone wolf

Grossly Underrated
Nov 25, 2006
32,493
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In the bush near Sudbury
Great place - wrong reason. Every town has a cenotaph and there are memorials all over the world for fallen soldiers. Except for a few brass plaques and stone cairns, civilians who lost their lives in convoys or flights across an inhospitable ocean are, by in large, unsung.
 

mentalfloss

Prickly Curmudgeon Smiter
Jun 28, 2010
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The concrete gift that just keeps on gifting.

'Mother Canada' is the dystopian war monument we deserve | rabble.ca

In a move inspired by the populist Roman Emperor and amateur musician Nero, Stephen Harper has decided it's a good idea to build a 30-metre Colossus memorializing Canada's military history along the rugged, windswept coastline of Cape Breton. The statue will be part of a proposed "Never Forgotten National Memorial" inside the Cape Breton Highlands National Park.

The design proofs are awe-inspiring -- but not for the reasons the chest-thumping Conservatives think. Redolent of Fritz Lang's dystopian, impressionistic film Metropolis, the imposing "Mother Canada" seems less like a northern Cristo Redentor and more like the stony incarnation of patriotic egos that see no problem in calling assault helicopters for a ride to dinner. Did I mention Peter McKay is a big supporter?

But while the announcement had many wondering if April Fools' Day had come early this year, the real comedy resides in the rest of the plans for the memorial, brilliantly conceived by food-packaging baron and "enthusiastic patriot" Tony Trigiani. From the Globe article:

Mr. Trigiani is planning to place a "We See Thee Rise Observation Deck" in front of the Mother Canada statue, and behind it "The Commemorative Ring of True Patriot Love," a low wall featuring metal plaques naming the international cemeteries where Canadian soldiers are buried. He's also planning a "With Glowing Hearts National Sanctuary," as well as a restaurant, souvenir shop and interpretive centre.
 

Tecumsehsbones

Hall of Fame Member
Mar 18, 2013
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Mr. Trigiani is planning to place a "We See Thee Rise Observation Deck" in front of the Mother Canada statue, and behind it "The Commemorative Ring of True Patriot Love,"

The. . . Commemorative. . . Ring. . . of. . . True. . . Patriot. . .Love.


PLEASE tell me ACT-UP hacked that website!
 

mentalfloss

Prickly Curmudgeon Smiter
Jun 28, 2010
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Nationalism.

Patriotism.

Militarism.

Mother Canada.


 

coldstream

on dbl secret probation
Oct 19, 2005
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Chillliwack, BC
I think there is a case for understatement and dignity in War memorials. Most communities have Cenotaphs on a much more modest scale.
 

captain morgan

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Mar 28, 2009
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A Mouse Once Bit My Sister
I find it amazing that the usual suspects will stoop this low to take a run at Harper at the direct expense of Canada's military... Sure would be interesting to hear from some veterans, their families and those that are in active service.

This nothing short of sad and pathetic
 

mentalfloss

Prickly Curmudgeon Smiter
Jun 28, 2010
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I find it amazing that the usual suspects will stoop this low to take a run at Harper at the direct expense of Canada's military... Sure would be interesting to hear from some veterans, their families and those that are in active service.

This nothing short of sad and pathetic

What's sad is that this does absolutely nothing for veterans while Harper gets goons like Fantino to publicly harass them.
 

Zipperfish

House Member
Apr 12, 2013
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Vancouver
I can't see this happening. Not really Canadian to build huge ostentations like this. And they don't get more Caandian than the folks in norethern Cape Breton--my dad's old neck of the woods actually. "Mother Canada"--ewww.