The future of the towering war memorial and statue planned for Cape Breton Highlands National Park is unclear.
The Member of Parliament for the area says the controversial project remains under review.
The statue is supposed to be a tribute to Canadian soldiers who didn’t return home from war.
“If the Liberal message is, it’s not your job to make it happen, it has to be a private project, and then that would really change the game in a significant way,” says Sean Howard with the organization Friends of Green Cove, “and make it impossible for the Green Cove location to be held.”
A private foundation is trying to raise $25-million for the Mother Canada monument to be built along the Cabot Trail.
The new Liberal government hasn’t committed any money.
MP Mark Eyking says the environment minister is prepared to review the project.
“Right now we’re not committing any money to this project,” he says. “We are going to see what money is on the table for this project, if all the proper reviews are done. We’re not giving it a red light or green light right now.”
People opposed to the project are worried about the environmental impact, and say they are watching the Liberals review very carefully.
“We don’t think it’s the end of the road,” adds Howard. “We can’t declare victory by any means, because if it’s just a restatement, then that doesn’t get us to the point we need to get too.”
Under the former Harper government, Parks Canada gave the foundation a grant of $100,000.
Eyking says the review process could take months or more, so for now, the plans to build the memorial remain on hold.
Because of the connection to the National Park, the statue needs federal approval if the project is going to go ahead.
Howard feels that shouldn’t happen.
“The mandate clearly calls on Parks Canada to preserve the ecological integrity of the lands in its care,” he says. “Those lands are in its care on behalf of the country.”
Eyking says there might be an alternative location for the project.
With files from CTV Atlantic’s Kyle Moore.
