Remarks by Daniel Tisch, Chairman, Churchill Society for the Advancement of Parliamentary Democracy on the occasion of the rededication of the Sir Winston Churchill memorial statue in Toronto

June 6, 2004
Toronto, Canada

Mr. Mayor, distinguished guests:

I’m Dan Tisch, Chairman of the Churchill Society for the Advancement of Parliamentary Democracy, and I want to welcome you on this historic day.

Today, we remember the sacrifices made by a generation of Canadians sixty years ago.

We celebrate a victory that came at a great cost.

And we both remember and celebrate the enduring relevance of the values for which that war was fought. It’s that spirit that brings us to this spot today, to rededicate a memorial to Sir Winston Churchill. We remember his leadership in our victory. And we celebrate the way he gave voice to the values of freedom and democracy.

This statue was unveiled on Nathan Phillips Square in 1977. Donated to the City by the late Harry Jackman, it is made from the original mould of a work by the eminent sculptor Oscar Nemon. The original stands in the Members Lobby of the British Parliament in London.

Today, this memorial has a renewed vigour and a renewed purpose.

The Churchill Society for the Advancement of Parliamentary Democracy is a non-partisan registered Canadian charity. We honour Churchill’s life and work by fostering education, discussion and debate about democracy in Canada.

Two years ago, members of our society — along with our friends from the International Churchill Society — began raising funds to improve the beauty and accessibility of this public space — and to enhance its relevance for future generations. Senior members of both societies approached the City of Toronto. And the City came to share our vision of what this memorial could be.

We wanted this to be a welcoming green space where people come both to linger — and to learn. That’s why we’ve beautified the surroundings and added park benches — and why we’ve created plaques that tell visitors about Churchill and the democratic values he worked so hard to protect.

This project is a great example of how the City of Toronto and private citizens can work together — to remember our past and to create a legacy for our future.

As we rededicate this statue, I think Churchill would have wanted us to reflect on the unique confluence of events happening today.

He would of course want us to remember the anniversary of D-Day.

He would note our approaching federal election, and remind Canadians — no doubt in a witty and memorable way — of the urgent need to arrest the decline in public engagement in the political process.

And I dare say he would think about the current context of world events.

We live in an era in which peace is threatened by terrifying and often unseen enemies… and in times like these, it can be tempting for democracies to act in undemocratic ways — not just on the international stage, but also in the way we treat our fellow citizens here at home.

It’s in times like these — and on occasions like today — that we must rededicate ourselves even more fully to the values of freedom and democracy for which so many gave so much sixty years ago.  

Thank you for joining us on this day of remembrance and celebration.