News Releases

Ontario Government selects team to design veterans´ memorial

Artistic Monument To Be Erected On Front Lawn Of Queen´s Park

TORONTO -- July 11, 2005 -- The Ontario government has selected a well-known Canadian war artist and landscape architectural firm to design and construct a memorial in honour of Canada's military veterans.

The team of Allan Harding MacKay and Phillips Farevaag Smallenberg has been awarded the contract for the Veterans' Memorial following a nationwide competition. The winning design will be unveiled in a groundbreaking ceremony on the grounds of the legislative assembly later this summer.

Allan Harding MacKay has had an extended career in the visual arts as a gallery director and curator, arts administrator, and professional artist. Phillips Farevaag Smallenberg is a highly regarded and award-winning planning, urban design and landscape architectural firm that has collaborated on several commemoration projects of national and international significance.

"We are confident that the team we have selected will design a fitting tribute to the sacrifice, courage, and dedication of our veterans," said Major-General Richard Rohmer, co-chair of the Veterans' Memorial Advisory Committee, which is responsible for the overall planning of the project. "The thoughtful, competitive process that we undertook over the past several months has resulted in an excellent team that will make our veterans proud."

"The government is pleased to be making such great progress on the construction of our Veterans' Memorial," said Minister of Government Services, Gerry Phillips. "We appreciate the dedication of the advisory committee in the selection of this talented team, as well as the input of veterans in this important project."

The design competition was first announced in December 2004 by the advisory committee, which is comprised of veterans, active military personnel and representatives of the Ontario legislature. This is the first time in 65 years that approval has been given by the legislature to erect a structure on its grounds.

More Information:

• Backgrounder: Ontario government selects team to design veterans´ memorial