Article By Doug Hempstead, Ottawa Sun, 19 March 2013

With all it's suburban conveniences, there's one thing Barrhaven doesn't have — a cenotaph. But not for long.

Nepean-Carleton Conservative MP Pierre Poilievre showed up to speak at the Barrhaven Legion's regular meeting Tuesday night, bringing along RCMP Supt. Greg Peters, and some very interesting news.

There has long been an effort to find a home for a cenotaph for the growing community, but Poilievre said property was scarce, and what was available was too expensive.

Money needed to build a cenotaph would have to be raised by members of the community.

So, Poilievre contacted the RCMP and asked if there was any space available at the police service's new headquarters off Fallowfield Rd. The service jumped at the request. "The timing was right," said Peters. "It was a wonderful opportunity for us."

The RCMP will not only provide the land, but will incorporate the cenotaph into its national memorial, which the force is in the process of relocating from the old headquarters on Vanier Pkwy.

The two monuments will be located in a "Garden of Heroes" at the headquarters, which is closed on Remembrance Day, making public functions easier to accommodate, and freeing up 3,000 parking spaces.

The Barrhaven Legion will lead fundraising efforts and have been given the ability to use the RCMP's foundation, which will allow fundraisers to hand out tax receipts.

Poilievre said his staff are in the process of setting up fundraising contact information and preparing to make an application to the federal Community War Memorial Program. If successful, the feds will match the amount of donations received up to 50%.

Poilievre said Veterans Affairs has already told him the project will qualify for the grant money.

Anyone interested in making a donation can call his office at 613-990-4300.