By Canadian Press

‘Unacceptable’: Group says government ignored process in awarding Afghan monument

Oct 5, 2023 | 9:23 AM

OTTAWA — The architectural group that was chosen by a jury to build a monument to Canada’s mission in Afghanistan says the government’s decision to award the contract to a different group is outrageous and anti-democratic.

Veterans Affairs Canada announced the $3-million commission in June, awarding it to a team led by Indigenous artist Adrian Stimson.

Renée Daoust represented a team of artists and architects, along with former Supreme Court justice Louise Arbour, who submitted the bid chosen by the jury. 

Daoust says they learned hours before Veterans Affairs Canada held a press conference that the government was going to overrule the jury’s choice because veterans who did an online survey preferred another entry.

The House veterans affairs committee has called for Heritage Minister Pascale St-Onge and Veterans Affairs Minister Ginette Petitpas Taylor to appear as witnesses to explain the decision.

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Daoust says it’s unacceptable that the government is not respecting its own procurement process, and this sets a dangerous precedent for future architectural competitions.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 5, 2023.

The Canadian Press