We need to protect the National War Memorial

Two large concrete barriers mark the section of Ottawa’s Wellington Street blocking all traffic in front of the Parliament Buildings. The blocks, one at Bank Street and the other at Elgin Street, are an ugly reminder of the occupation of Ottawa last year by large transport trucks in what protesters called "the Freedom Convoy,” an ill-conceived protest by the truckers against pandemic restrictions requiring Canadian drivers crossing the border with the United States to be vaccinated. Now, the City of Ottawa is considering temporarily re-opening the street, but that is far from the end of the debate. The near month-long occupation of our city was more than just snubbing of noses at health regulations during a time of pandemic. It also raised real concerns about the safety of our federal politicians and the Parliament Buildings which themselves are a symbol of our democracy and the values most Canadians share. At one point during the occupation, the day’s parliamentary debate over implementing the Emergencies Act was postponed out of fears for MPs’ safety. Part of the protest also included occupying Confederation Square on Elgin Street home to the National War Memorial and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Some made the ridiculous suggestion that our veterans fought for the freedom of the protesters to occupy the city in protest. Others were just disrespectful, as exemplified by a young woman who danced on top of the tomb. These actions caused some veterans' groups to call for the memorial and tomb to be protected 365 days a year. Under the National Sentry Program, the area is guarded by military sentries from 9 a.m.-5 p.m, from April 9, Vimy Ridge Day, through to Nov. 11, Remembrance Day. That program started in 2007 in response to calls from veterans organizations including the Royal Canadian Legion. The sentries are mostly Canadian Armed Forces reservists from across the country, most of whom find it an honour to be sent from their home base to stand duty over a national monument in Ottawa. On Oct. 22, 2014, Cpl. Nathan Cirillo of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada (Princess Louise’s) was shot and killed by Michael Zehaf-Bibeau, a disturbed religious zealot. The shooter then charged onto Parliament Hill where he was shot and killed by House of Commons Sergeant-at Arms Kevin Vickers and RCMP officer Curtis Barrett. At the time, the grounds of Parliament Hill were protected by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police while inside was protected by a combination of the Senate Protective Service and the House of Commons Security Services. The confusion between the separate forces that day led to the creation of the Parliamentary Protective Service in 2015 under the operational command of the RCMP. During the convoy protest, the PPS was frustrated by the Ottawa Police Service’s failure to remove the truckers and their supporters once the weekend was over. This has led to many calls for the Parliamentary Precinct be extended to cover Wellington from Bank Street to Sussex Drive. Others have seen the temporary barricades as a chance to re-imagine the street as a pedestrian walkway. It is understandable that some veterans’ groups have called for the sentry program to be continued 365 days a year. Many countries, such as the United States, have their tombs protected 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Canada’s climate makes that impractical. A good layer of snow is often its own protection. Besides, our Reserve Force is too limited to make this work. It would be much more practical to extend the PPS's jurisdiction along Wellington Street from Bank Street all the way to Sussex Drive, including Confederation Square. There may not be a year-round human presence but there are cameras which are being monitored by officers who can act at the first signs of trouble. This concept would extend both the safety and sacredness of Wellington and Confederation Square. Over time, it would even allow for the area to be re-imagined in a way complimenting the way the public views our nation’s seat of power. Tom MacGregor writes on veterans and military heritage. The Hill Times

We need to protect the National War Memorial

It would be much more practical to give the jurisdiction for Wellington Street from Bank Street to Sussex Drive to the PPS and extend it to Confederation Square.

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We need to protect the National War Memorial

It would be much more practical to give the jurisdiction for Wellington Street from Bank Street to Sussex Drive to the PPS and extend it to Confederation Square.

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