The Memorial is a privately funded initiative designed to commemorate Canadian war dead who lie buried in foreign countries (2,500 cemeteries in 74 countries), lost at sea or otherwise consumed into the landscapes of war. It will remember 114,000 Canadians killed in conflicts outside of Canada. It will also include those fallen in recent mission (such as in peacekeeping missions since 1970 and in Afghanistan), who are buried in Canada. The memorial will be located in Cape Breton Highlands National Park

We believe it is important to have a memorial in Canada dedicated to all Canadians killed in overseas wars and peacekeeping missions, wherever they may lie. They deserve to be honoured, in Canada, and recognized for their sacrifice.

This is an opportunity to contribute to Canada’s commemorations on the occasion of the centennial of the First World War, the 75th anniversary of the Second World War and 150th anniversary of Confederation, and will form part of the Government of Canada’s   “Road to 2017” program, led by the department of Canadian Heritage.

The Foundation’s goals are to raise the funds for the construction and maintenance of the Memorial and to conduct relevant programming after completion.  Once completed, ownership of the Memorial will pass to the Crown, represented by Parks Canada, to become part of Cape Breton Highlands National Park (CBHNP).

Green Cove been identified as the planned site for the Memorial. It is a scenic ocean viewpoint in Cape Breton Highlands National Park, located along the world-renowned Cabot Trail, approximately 6 km north of the community of Ingonish, Nova Scotia. Cape Breton Island is a premiere tourism destination in Atlantic Canada, ranked the #1 island destination in continental North America by Travel and Leisure Magazine in 2012.

Green Cove is on the Cabot Trail, an already well-traveled highway. An existing trail leads out onto the point, which naturally provides a location that meets the goals for the site. This is therefore, an already developed area with no identified environmentally sensitive zones and no known endangered species or habitat at this time.

Green Cove presents natural features comparable to those experienced at other memorials around the world where natural landscapes contribute to the commemorative experiences. Furthermore, A major national memorial needs a site that will be available in perpetuity. National Parks are national assets of Canada and are dedicated in perpetuity.

Never Forgotten National Memorial Foundation will be built in phases over a number of years. The phase 1 completion target is July 2017.  The schedule and details of the next phases are currently in progress.

The Memorial will be situated on a rocky granite headland jutting out into the Atlantic Ocean and oriented towards Europe and the Canadian National Vimy Memorial in France.

Click here for a height comparison chart of notable statues. 

Click here for a height comparison of notable Canadian statues. 

Never Forgotten National Memorial Foundation is the proponent of the project and will oversee the project with the guidance, support and collaboration of Parks Canada.

The Foundation is engaging with Veterans groups, economic and tourism groups, local, regional and provincial levels of government and residents, including the Department of Canadian Heritage, Veterans Affairs Canada, and commemorative organizations such as the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. In addition, the foundation has in communication with rights holders of the aboriginal communities.