Snowy days could force closure of new National Holocaust Monument
Plans for snow melting equipment scaled back because of cost; heritage minister blames former government
Snowy days in the national capital could force the closure of the just opened National Holocaust Monument.
Conservative Sen. Linda Frum said she's been told there are no plans for snow to be cleared from the grounds and walkways of the outdoor monument this winter.
The senator has raised the issue with Heritage Minister Melanie Joly's office.
Joly said any discussions about the Holocaust memorial were held when the Conservatives were in power under Stephen Harper.
"There's no surprise now," she said, adding that the NCC is an independent body that will be looking into the issue.
"But the reality is the National Holocaust Monument board and also the Harper government knew that [the issue of snow] would be the case."
There's no roof on the six concrete triangles that make up the structure — when the monument was officially opened last month, heavy rains forced the ceremony into the Canadian War Museum across the street.
The design specifications for the monument did call for a snow melting device to be installed, but a 2015 report suggested the device was scaled back for cost reasons.
The monument has already generated controversy for failing to identify Jews as main victims of the Holocaust on the commemorative plaque, which is now being rewritten.