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“I don’t present this as a rigorous public engagement,” said Graves of the poll results, but rather a “relatively casual introduction” of a project to a public that hasn’t seen it before.

And it’s true. The poll doesn’t get into the controversy about the location. Nor does the poll discuss in any way the political and somewhat secretive manoeuverings behind this project. For example, no one seems to know how it is that the memorial, backed by the charitable group Tribute to Liberty, was moved from its originally planned location at the Garden of the Provinces to the current prime piece of real estate next to the Supreme Court.

But this fairly simple survey, which begins by asking respondents to think about whether they are proud or embarrassed by their capital, is the closest thing we’ve had to any public consultation on this monumental change in development plans for the Judicial Precinct.

And when the public was consulted in this tiniest of ways, Canadians overwhelmingly responded with a resounding, “What the hell?”

This is not to say that we should decide designs for monuments or public art by referendum. But, as Graves pointed out, “it’s worthwhile that the public have a seat at the table and have an input … it’s only reasonable to ask the denizens of the region and the citizens of the country what they think of this.”

Leaders in the Conservative government, who’ve pledged $3 million in public funds to this project, are naturally trying to cast the results of this poll as disrespect for the memory of the millions who perished at the hands of totalitarian communist regimes.

But questioning the design and location of the memorial isn’t the equivalent of saying one shouldn’t exist (although there are those who question the need to mark historical events that did not directly involve Canada). And yet, it is hard to see how Canadians will be able to engage in any sort of discussion about what they’d like to see built in the heart of the capital when their leaders continue only to engage in doublespeak.

jchianello@ottawacitizen.com

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