Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence announces Government of Canada plans to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge and the contributions of Canadians in the First World War.
OTTAWA, Nov. 17, 2016 /CNW/ - The Honourable Kent Hehr, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, today announced Government of Canada plans to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge and the First World War in France and Canada in April 2017. Official commemorative ceremonies will take place at the Canadian National Vimy Memorial in France, the National War Memorial in Ottawa and in major cities across Canada on April 9, 2017.
An official Government of Canada delegation will travel to France to attend ceremonies and events in Northern France in early April 2017. The delegation will include Veterans, youth, regimental representatives, the Department of National Defence, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and parliamentarians.
A number of events are being planned including the signature commemorative ceremony on April 9 at the Canadian National Vimy Memorial in France to pay tribute to those who died during the Battle of Vimy Ridge and the First World War. There are plans to have the April 9 ceremony broadcast so that all Canadians may join together in remembering the valiant sacrifices of Canadian soldiers at Vimy and throughout the First World War.
Quotes
"A century later, we must ensure that the memory of the great sacrifices and achievements of our men and women in uniform during the First World War and the significant achievements at the Battle of Vimy Ridge live on. This is a time to honour the service and sacrifice of those who were there for our country, at home and abroad, when we needed them, and pay tribute by remembering and honouring them."
The Honourable Kent Hehr, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence
Quick Facts
- Veterans Affairs Canada will invest approximately $11 million in supplementary resources on behalf of the Government of Canada to commemorate three major World Wars anniversaries including the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge, the 75th anniversary of the Dieppe Raid, and the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Passchendaele.
- Part of the broader Arras offensive, the Battle of Vimy Ridge began on the morning of April 9, 1917. The four-day battle was the first time all four divisions of the Canadian Corps fought together as one formation. The Canadian victory at Vimy Ridge is considered to be a defining moment for Canada.
- The Canadian National Vimy Memorial commemorates all Canadians who fought in the First World War, and remembers by name 11,285 Canadian soldiers killed in France, whose final resting places were unknown.
- As part of commemorative events marking the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge, a new Visitor Education Centre, constructed with support from the Vimy Foundation, will open in April 2017 at the Canadian National Vimy Memorial in France.
- Events commemorating the centennial of the Battle of Vimy Ridge and the opening of the new Visitor Education Centre coincide with Canada's 150th anniversary of Confederation celebrations in 2017—a pivotal milestone for Canada to connect with our past, celebrate who we are, honour our exceptional achievements and build a legacy for tomorrow.
Associated Links
- For more information on the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge, visit Canada.ca/Vimy-100.
- Share your thoughts at facebook.com/CanadaRemembers.
SOURCE Veterans Affairs Canada
Media Relations, Veterans Affairs Canada, 613-992-7468, [email protected]; Sarah McMaster, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Veterans Affairs, 613-996-4649
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