ST. CATHARINES, ONT. — The Welland Canal Fallen Workers Memorial in St. Catharines, Ont., honouring 137 men who died building the canal, was unveiled on Remembrance Day weekend.
Construction of the fourth Welland Canal took place between 1913 and 1935 and the loss of life on the project is believed to be the largest of any federal government infrastructure project in Canadian history, states a release issued by the City of St. Catharines.
The fourth Welland Canal was built to expand shipping routes and connect the Great Lakes to eastern Canada, western New York and global trade routes and continues to serve as a major transportation corridor.
The unveiling ceremony was a special occasion for family members and descendants of the fallen workers to remember their loved ones. Those who died building the canal included war veterans, fathers and sons and new immigrants to Canada from 16 different countries, the release indicates.
The Welland Canal Fallen Workers Memorial was designed by Dereck Revington Studio Inc. of Toronto through a national competition and it features four elements: the Gates of Remembrance, the Veil, the Timeline and the Lock, which are all set within a contemplative grove. The memorial was constructed at Lock 3 of the Welland Canal.
With a budget of $1.2 million, the memorial was funded by the Department of Canadian Heritage, Niagara Region, the City of St. Catharines and donations from the marine industry, local businesses and the labour community, the release adds.
The unveiling of the memorial marks the completion of years of research and fundraising by the Niagara community, including elected representatives, historians, the marine industry, labour, local media and volunteers who were committed to fulfilling the 85-year-old promise to honour the fallen workers, the release concludes.
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