Peace Monuments in Ontario (Canada)

Right click image to enlarge.

1921 - Peace Memorial School, 85 East 36th Street, Hamilton, Ontario (Canada). Only the portico (in the shape of a triumphal or memorial arch) was preserved when the 84-year old school was demolished in the Summer of 2005. The site is now called Peace Memorial Park and is under development.

1927 - Peace Tower of Victory & Peace / Tour de la Victoire et de la Paix, Centre Block, Parliament Hill, Ottawa, Ontario (Canada). Usually called simply "The Peace Tower." Sits on the central axis of the Centre Block of the Canadian parliament buildings.

August 17, 1925 - International Peace Bridge, Niagara River, US/Canadian Border between Buffalo, New York (USA), & Fort Erie, Ontario (Canada). Entry #1208 in the "Peace Movement Directory" by James Richard Bennett (2001).

F O U N T A I N

September 14, 1929 - Peace Fountain, Amsterdam Park, St. Clair Avenue W at Avenue Road, Toronto, Ontario (Canada). Inscribed: "[Replica of] the fountain at [the Peace] Palace, The Hague. Presented by H.H. Williams...as a mark of his love [for peace]." /// A very successful Realtor who lived nearby, H. H. Williams donated the land for this park & the fountain in it. He went to Europe in search of a suitable fountain for the park & found what he wanted, a wall fountain near the entrance to the Peace Palace at The Hague. The Peace Palace had been built as a meeting place for all nations, in the hope of preventing any further world-wide wars. Williams had a replica built here which was unveiled the same day that the Peter Pan statue was dedicated across the road. The fountain has recently been restored. The park received its present name in 1974 when Totonto & Amsterdam became twin cities.

June 12, 1930 - Angel of Peace, Shrine Peace Memorial, Exposition Park, 2 Strachan Avenue, Toronto, Ontario (Canada). "Presented to the people of Canada by Imperial Potentate, Noble Leo V. Youngworth, on behalf of the 600,000 members of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (Shriners) to commemorate the peaceful relationships existing for over a century between Canada and the United States." By American sculptor Charles Keck [1875-1951]. Unveiled during Canadian National Exposition. Entry #1333 in the "Peace Movement Directory" by James Richard Bennett (2001).

July 17, 1958 - Peace Monument, Robert Moses-Robert H. Saunders Power House & Dam, St. Lawrence-Franklin Deleno Roosevelt Power Project, St. Lawrence River between Massena, New York (USA), and Cornwall, Ontario (Canada). The dam's 32 turbine-generators are divided equally by the international border, with the two sections operated independently by the NY Power Authorty (NYPA) and Ontario Power Generation (OPG). Queen Elizabeth II dedicated the monument on the international border inside the power house.

1965 - International Friendship Garden, Thunder Bay, Ontario (Canada). Soroptimist International. Entry #1318 in the "Peace Movement Directory" by James Richard Bennett (2001).

1967 - Knights of Columbus Peace Monument, West End of Dieppe Park, Windsor, Ontario (Canada). Three modernistic columns representing the three persons of the Trinity as they look down on a troubled, war-torn world. Inscribed "Pray for Peace." Designed by Donald Ailles & produced by the Smith Monument Company of Toronto. Erected in Canada's Centennial Year of 1967 by the Knights of Columbus of Ontario "as an inspiration to world peace, 1867-1967."

1967 - Lester B. Pearson Peace Park, Tweed, Ontario (Canada). Lester Bowles Pearson [1897-1972] received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1957. Entry #1336 in the "Peace Movement Directory" by James Richard Bennett (2001).

Date? - Statue of Lester B. Pearson, Parliament Hill, Ottawa, Ontario (Canada). Lester Bowles Pearson [1897-1972] received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1957.

October 1984 - Peace Garden, Nathan Phillips Square, Toronto, Ontario (Canada). Created for Toronto's sesquicentennial. "Measures 60 square metres and consists of a small sculptured structure, an eternal flame, a pool and stone platforms and wall. In September 1984, His Holiness Pope John Paul II lit the Eternal Flame of Peace using a torch ignited at the Hiroshima Peace Shrine, and poured water into the pool that was taken from the river that flows through Nagasaki. The Peace Garden was formally dedicated a month later by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II." Entry #1330 in the "Peace Movement Directory" by James Richard Bennett (2001).

July 1, 1985 - Monument to Multiculturalism, Union Station, 65 Front Street West, Toronto, Ontario (Canada). "Presented to Toronto on the occasion of its sesquicentennial by the national congress of Italian Canadians on behalf of the Italian Canadian Community. Unveiled on Canada Day by the mayor of the city of Toronto, Arthur Eggleton, in the presence of the premier of the Province of Ontario, David Peterson." Sculpted by Italian artist Francesco Perilli. Four identical sculptures are located in Buffalo City (South Africa), Changchun (China), Sarajevo (Bosnia) & Sydney (Australia). A sixth has recently been added in San Diego, California (USA).

October 24, 1987 - London Peace Garden, near the Forks of the Thames, London, Ontario (Canada). "Dedicated to global peace based on justice, freedom, truth and love on UN Day. The garden was first envisioned by London community activist Joe Bath and sponsored by Ploughshares London and several other community organizations." Entry #1284 in the "Peace Movement Directory" by James Richard Bennett (2001).

May 1989 - Peace Memorial Statue, City Hall (lower lobby), Burlington, Ontario (Canada). "Nagasaki-born Seibo Kitamura [1884-1987], a famous Japanese sculptor, sculpted this bronze statue for Burlington from Mayor Keizo Kurihara of Itabashi (Japan) on the occasion of a twin city agreement in May 1989. By creating international relationships through twinning, the Japanese hope to promote world peace... The sculptor’s words explain the symbolism: "The right hand implies the atomic bombing, the left hand suggests desire for the world peace, and the face prays the bombing victims' souls may rest in peace."

1989 - Peace Park, Gloucester, Ontario (Canada). Entry #1278 in the "Peace Movement Directory" by James Richard Bennett (2001).

September 30, 1990 - Canadian Tribute to Human Rights Monument, Lisgar & Elgin Streets, Ottawa, Ontario (Canada). Immediately adjacent to Ottawa City Hall. "Dedicated to the fundamental concepts of personal freedom & respect for the dignity of each individual with the inscription of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights: 'All human beings are born free and equal in dignity & rights.' The Tribute is the first monument in the world dedicated to universal human rights, and was unveiled by Dalai Lama of Tibet in September of 1990. "

1992 - Charlie Brooks Memorial Peace Fountain, Peace Park, Detroit River, Windsor, Ontario (Canada). At former Coventry Gardens. Entry #1342 in the "Peace Movement Directory" by James Richard Bennett (2001).

1992 - Reconcilation (National Peacekeeping Monument), Ottawa, Ontario (Canada). Memorializes Canadian "casques bleus / blue caps" who served in UN peace-keeping missions in Korea (1947), Palestine (1948), Golan Heights, former Yugoslavia, and Somalia. Erected during 125th anniversary of Canadian Confederation (Canada 125). Entry #1302 in the "Peace Movement Directory" by James Richard Bennett (2001). Click here for an analysis of this monument by Paul Gough.

1992-August 2011 - "Goddess of Democracy," foyer of the Student Centre, Keele Campus, York University, Toronto, Ontario (Canada). Removed in August 2011. "A York administrator said the statue was in a state of disrepair and the board of the student centre decided to remove it and replace it with a permanent plaque. 'The materials used in its construction have exceeded their life expectancy...the maltreatment by the general population on campus has taken its toll on the general esthetics of the statue,' wrote Scott Jarvis, the centre’s executive director. 'The holes in the exterior cladding allowed for debris to be put inside the cavity leading to health and safety concerns.' Cheuk Kwan said the Chinese community feels a memorial plaque will not have the same meaning as the goddess & has offered to donate a bronze replica to be placed in the same spot as the old statue."

1992 - Peace Grove, Cane Parkway, Newmarket, Ontario (Canada). Entry #1290 in the "Peace Movement Directory" by James Richard Bennett (2001).

1992 - Peace Park, Stouffville, Ontario (Canada). Entry #1313 in the "Peace Movement Directory" by James Richard Bennett (2001).

1995 - Peace Grove, Mississauga, Ontario (Canada). Entry #1289 in the "Peace Movement Directory" by James Richard Bennett (2001).

1996 - Peace Garden, Saint Agnes School, Chatham, Ontario (Canada). Entry #1274 in the "Peace Movement Directory" by James Richard Bennett (2001).

1996 - United Nations Peace Water Garden, Bladen Library, Scarborough, Uniersity of Toronto, Ontario (Canada). Entry #1312 in the "Peace Movement Directory" by James Richard Bennett (2001).

November 1996 - World Peace Bell (WPB), City Hall, Ottawa, Ontario (Canada). One of about 20 WPB's placed in different coutries by the World Peace Bell Association (WPBA), Tokyo (Japan).

1998 - Peace Garden, Georgina, Ontario (Canada). Entry #1277 in the "Peace Movement Directory" by James Richard Bennett (2001).

1998 - Peace Garden, Johnsview Village Public School, Thornhill, Ontario (Canada). Entry #1317 in the "Peace Movement Directory" by James Richard Bennett (2001).

2000 - The Famous Five (or The Valiant Five), Parliament Hill, Ottawa, Ontario (Canada). "Built in the memory of Emily Murphy, Irene Marryat Parlby, Nellie Mooney McClung, Louise Crummy McKinney & Henrietta Muir Edwards. The five women from Alberta became famous for asking the Supreme Court of Canada if the word ‘Persons’ in section 24 of the British North America Act, 1867, includes female persons, thus starting the women’s rights movement in Canada in the 1920's" and leading to female suffrage.

October 20, 2001 - Tower of Freedom, 100 Pitt Street East, Windsor, Ontario (Canada). "Faces the Gateway to Freedom monument across the Detroit River and together are called the International Memorial to the Underground Railroad. A twenty-two foot high tower with a bronze Flame of Freedom created by Denver based sculptor Ed Dwight. The monument honours the harrowing journey made by thousands in search of freedom and pays tribute to Ontario’s role in the Underground Railroad."

2003 - Rotary International Peace Monument, Charles J. Clark Square, Windsor, Ontario (Canada). Erected by Rotary Club of Windsor-Roseland. Photo shows portion of the monument with Caesars Windsor (casino) in the immediate background and the Renaissance Center in Detroit, Michigan (USA), in the distance.

2005. - Rotary International Peace Park, RIM Park, Waterloo, Ontario (Canada). "RIM Park [sic] is the City of Waterloo's premier 500-acre park and recreation facility." "The name was selected by the park's largest donor, the employees of Research In Motion, who contributed $2 million in 2001."

November 8, 2005 - Parkdale World Peace Monument & Fountain, next to Parkdale branch, Toronto Public Library, 1303 Queen Street West, Parkdale, Toronto, Ontario (Canada). Globe designed by Halifax artist Peter Dykhuis.

October 22, 2006 - Peace Monument, Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine, 271 Van Horne Street, Sudbury, Ontario (Canada). Stainless steel. Erected by Les Jésuites de Sudbury in celebration of a triple jubilee: The 450th anniversary of the death of the founder of the Jesuits, Ignatius of Loyola, as well as the 500th anniversary of the birthday of two well-known Jesuits, Francis-Xavier and Pierre Favre. Peace is represented by a dove, a Christian Cross, and symbols in the letters A(lpha) and O(mega) representing the 12 world religions. The dove and Cross are distinctly at the top.

C L O C K

January 12, 2010 - Bangladesh Peace Clock, Ouellette Avenue median (north of Wyandotte), Windsor, Ontario (Canada). "Made possible by a generous donation of retired Windsor librarian & active campaigner for world peace Mr. A. Aziz Chowdhury... The cost was $60,000, half of which was supplied by Mr. Chowdhury. Additional donations were graciously made by the clock’s contractors. In keeping with Mr. Chowdhury’s interest in stimulating pedestrian activity in the downtown core, this humble time piece was designed and built at a height that would place it clearly at eye level for people enjoying downtown by foot. The clock is set against a backdrop of three flags: Canada, City of Windsor & Peace flags."

December 14, 2010 - Inukshuk, Lamoureux Park, Cornwall, Ontario (Canadqa). On St. Lawrence River. "The first anniversary of the passing of the Olympic torch in Cornwall was celebrated on December 14 with the unveiling of a commemorative Inukshuk & plaque beside the Clock Tower at Lamoureux Park. The Inukshuk was the welcoming symbol for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. On December 14, 2009, the Olympic Flame came to Cornwall as thousands of citizens gathered at Lamoureux Park to witness the final bearer, Rik Saaltink, who lit the cauldron in honour of his daughter Heather. The Inukshuk symbolizes friendship, hope, hospitality, energy & team spirit. 'It will continue to remind us of the wonderful event we shared,' said Cornwall Mayor Bob Kilger during the ceremony. The City of Cornwall partnered with the Ontario Power Generation (OPG) for the Inukshuk & plaque." /// May 2011 : "An Inukshuk placed in Lamoureux Park to commemorate the 2010 Olympic Torch Relay has been destroyed. All that stands of the symbolic statue are two cement blocks. 'It's a horrible thing,' says Pam Maloney, co-chair of the Torch Relay task force. 'It's disheartening that something that was symbolic of a really wonderful day for our community has been destroyed in this way.' Maloney says she is unsure as to how the Inukshuk was destroyed. 'Vandalism doesn't really prove anything,' she says. 'I'm sure we'll replace it. The memory of that event will carry on, no matter what. It sounds like it was just irresponsible people getting their kick.'"

August 24, 2011 - Aqsa Parvez Memorial Grove, American Independence Park, Jerusalem Hills (Israel). On land of the Jewish National Fund (JNF or KKL) "up the hill from the village of Ein Kerem." /// "Honors killing victims worldwide. The first initiative of its kind. Dedicated to calling attention to this enforcement of the most savage elements of Islamic law against women: wives, daughters & sisters. One can't even begin to fathom the lost dreams & ideals & promises & hopes for a full life extinguished by the tyrannical, hatemongering macho culture of Islamic supremacism. Demand the world's condemnation of Islamic misogyny, gender apartheid & the dehumanization of women. Should be the first of tens of thousands of memorials, but the point of the memorials does not end simply with the memorials themselves. The memorials show that we have not forgotten & will not forget these girls. And the memorials are just a part of a larger determination to show the Islamic world that we simply will not allow this barbaric practice of Islamic honor killing to stand in the West. We will plant millions of groves." /// Click here for video of dedication by Pamela Geller & Robert Spencer. /// Aqsa Parvez [1991-2007] was the victim of an honour killing in Mississauga, Ontario (Canada).

P A R K

Future - Peace Memorial Park, 85 East 36th Street, Hamilton, Ontario (Canada). "This 2.17 hectare (5.37 acre) former Peace Memorial School site is being re-developed as a passive neighbourhood park. Peace Memorial School [qv] was constructed in 1918 [sic] as a memorial to those who gave their lives during the First World War."

Future - Peace Monuments, Lamoureux Park, Cornwall, Ontario (Canada). On St. Lawrence River. "Twenty sculptures erected in Lamoureux Park could become the first stop in 'the largest monument in the world' stretching from Canada to Chile. It's a big ambition, but Ottawa sculptor Shaukat Chaney is moving full-speed ahead on the project, which would see 11 sites in 12 countries pay homage to those who have died for peace. He presented his idea to Cornwall council [in 2010], offering to donate 15 to 20 sculptures — each six feet high & weighing a couple tons — if the city would contribute $30,000 for bases & signage. Though each sculptor will donate their time, Chaney said he needs to raise $100,000 to pay for accommodations, food, equipment & supplies. He hopes to collect another $50,000 to get started on the second site, which will be on the Mexican border in Arizona or Texas, with artisans from both sides contributing their talent. After the States, monuments will be erected in Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Brazil, Argentina & Chile — if all goes according to plan. If one site is completed each year, Chaney expects to wrap up by 2023. 'Peace is the theme,' he said."