A new national monument, Thunderhead, is making waves near the Library and Archives Canada building in downtown Ottawa. Instead of stormy weather, this monument aims to inspire celebration and introspection.
Thunderhead stands tall as a nine-meter white column adorned with cloud-shaped openings. Todd Ross, co-chair of the LGBT Purge Fund, described the unique design featuring inverted clouds inside the pillar, lined with mirrored tiles to create a disco ball effect.
Situated at the junction of Wellington Street and the Portage Bridge, Thunderhead commemorates the discrimination faced by the 2SLGBTQ+ community, particularly during the Canadian government’s prolonged campaign known as the LGBT purge. From the 1950s to the mid-1990s, thousands of individuals were investigated and expelled from organizations like the RCMP, Canadian Armed Forces, and the federal public service due to their sexual orientation.
Ross, a former member of the Canadian navy, was honorably discharged in 1990 due to his homosexuality. He later participated in a successful class-action lawsuit against the government, with the proceeds funding the creation of Thunderhead.
Designed by a team from Winnipeg led by Liz Wreford of Architects Public City, Thunderhead symbolizes destruction and renewal through its thundercloud concept. The column’s skylight and openings allow sunlight to illuminate the mirrored interior, creating a colorful kaleidoscope effect reminiscent of lightning flashes during a storm.
The surrounding park serves as an educational space, shedding light on Canada’s history of anti-2SLGBTQ+ discrimination. It features an interpretive wall detailing the community’s persecution and a healing circle composed of thirteen stones selected by two-spirit elders from every province and territory.
Michelle Douglas, executive director of the LGBT Purge Fund, views the park as a beacon of hope, offering visitors a space for reflection on their own experiences. The site is designed to honor the past while embracing a future free from discrimination.
In addition to the monument, the park includes a stage and gathering spaces for performances and events. Ross envisions the site as a versatile space for both celebration and activism, where people can gather during challenging times.
The official opening ceremony of Thunderhead will be attended by Gov.-Gen. Louise Arbour, followed by the start of Capital Pride 2026 the next day, running until August 30.