Monument Opening October 2026
The October 3 in-person opening of the Japanese Canadian Monument in Victoria, BC is at capacity. For the safety of our elders, it is now closed to attendees. We invite all community members to view the October 3 livestream from the comfort of their own home or to join with community at one of the many viewing parties planned in cities and towns across the country. Please find the list of viewing parties here.
For those who are in Victoria on October 3 and are unable to attend the 1pm opening with friends and family, the site is open to the public after 4pm and will be lit at dusk.
For an enhanced experience, we welcome everyone to sign up for a guided tour on October 4, 5, 6, and 7. To learn more about the guided tours or to register, please visit: japanesecanadianmonument.eventbrite.ca. (UPDATE: the October 4 guided tours are now full.)
We look forward to welcoming survivors, descendants, and their families to this place of memory, reflection, and healing.
Message to Community
We thank the community, our Survivors and Descendants, for your patience as we navigate the long-awaited opening of the Monument. The unprecedented interest in this permanent place of memory has brought home to us the importance of this work. In connecting 22,000 names directly to the prewar coastal towns, farming valleys, and fishing villages our community once called home we ensure that our roots across British Columbia are honoured, remembered, and reclaimed.
While October 3 marks a significant milestone, this opening is only one step in a long, ongoing journey. The Monument will be open day and night for years and generations to come, an enduring space where families can return at any time to trace an ancestor’s name, share quiet reflection, or simply sit in contemplation and remembrance.
October 3 Viewing Parties
Join an October 3 Viewing Party with a Complimentary Meal or Snacks & Monument Souvenir Book
Currently, 15 viewing parties are being planned across the country where the opening ceremony will be live-streamed. A highlight video will be shared, showing all 100 panels and the building of the Monument. A complimentary meal or snacks will be served and a special commemorative book listing all names will be given to attendees. More information will be posted in the coming weeks.
NANAIMO, BC (7 Potatoes)
Contact: Tami Hirasawa info@sevenpotatoes.ca
Location: TBA
UCLUELET, BC (Ucluelet Community Centre, George Fraser Room)
Contact: Claudia Cole claudia1@telus.net
Location: 500 Matterson Drive, Ucluelet, BC
BURNABY, BC (Robert Nimi Nikkei Home)
Contact: Shihori Scott-Moncrieff hugsassistant@nikkeishc.com
Location: 6680 Southoaks Crescent, Burnaby, BC
STEVESTON, BC (Wisteria Place)
Contact: Kelvin Higo kelvinhigo@gmail.com
Location: 4388 Garry St, Richmond, BC
SUNSHINE VALLEY, BC (Tashme Museum)
Contact: Ryan Ellan tashmemuseum@gmail.com
Location: 14781 Alpine Blvd., Sunshine Valley, Hope, BC
KAMLOOPS, BC (KJCA)
Contact: Kim Tabata contact@kjca.ca
Location: TBA
NEW DENVER, BC (Knox Hall)
Contact: Terri Simpson nikkei@newdenver.ca
Location: 521 6th Avenue, New Denver, BC
EDMONTON, AB (EJCA)
Register: ejca.org/event-6803982
Contact: Sanae Ohki events@ejca.org
Location: 6750 88 Street NW, Edmonton, AB T6E 5H6
CALGARY, AB (CJCA)
Contact: Roger Teshima rogerteshima@shaw.ca
Location: 2236 29 St SW, Calgary, AB
LETHBRIDGE, AB (Southern Alberta Ethnic Association)
Contact: Deanna Oye deanna.oye@uleth.ca
Location: 421 6th Ave S. Lethbridge, AB
WINNIPEG, MB (JCAM)
Contact: Marlene Mori horizonclub@jcamwpg.ca
Location: 180 McPhillips Street, Winnipeg, MB
HAMILTON, ON (Hamilton NAJC)
Register: zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/monument-livestream
Location: 45 Hempstead Dr, Hamilton, ON
TORONTO, ON (Momiji & JCCC)
Register: English | Japanese
Contact: jccc@jccc.on.ca
Location (Momiji): 3555 Kingston Rd, Toronto, ON
Location (JCCC): 6 Sakura Way Toronto, ON
MONTREAL, QC (JCCCM)
Contact: Susan Shoji Levesque centrejaponais@bellnet.ca
Location: 8155 rue Rousselot, Montreal QC
