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“All that I’m hearing as an alternative is that we have yet another government building in downtown Ottawa and I haven’t had anybody call my office saying Ottawa needs more government buildings,” Poilievre said in an interview with the Citizen. “We want to have this tribute in a place where people will actually see it and that is the case with the planned site.”

The size and scope of the memorial have raised concerns from some architects and critics that it would overshadow the 75-year-old Supreme Court building, while an expert panel six years ago warned the National Capital Commission that the memorial didn’t meet NCC criteria for commemorations. The NCC’s External Committee of Experts on Commemorations said the theme for the memorial was “not sufficiently a Canadian story,” according to the minutes of its Feb. 19, 2009 meeting obtained by the Citizen.

“There are eight million Canadians who trace their roots back to countries that were, or are, oppressed by communism. Our soldiers fought in the Korean War to push back communism. As a result of their effort and the effort of our allies, South Korea is free today,” Poilievre told reporters at an event in Sandy Hill.

“This is one of the most murderous and odious ideologies in the history of humanity. It’s appropriate that we remember it and Canada’s contribution to defeating it.”

The government promised in the 2013 throne speech to complete the memorial, which now is set to cost $5.5 million with the federal government providing about $3 million. Tribute to Liberty, the group behind the memorial, must raise the remainder.

Poilievre said he hasn’t received any requests for extra cash, but wouldn’t say what the government’s plan is should fundraising efforts fall short.

“I don’t want to speculate on hypotheticals,” Poilievre said. “They have a budget and the project should work within those confines.”

jpress@ottawacitizen.com

Twitter.com/jpress