Government of Canada Honours Veterans at the 93rd Warriors' Day Parade

TORONTO, Aug. 16, 2014 /CNW/ - Ted Opitz, Member of Parliament for Etobicoke Centre, on behalf of the Honourable Julian Fantino, Minister of Veterans Affairs, today attended the 93^rd annual Warriors' Day Parade, held during the Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto. This year's parade commemorated the 100^th anniversary of the beginning of the First World War and the 70^th anniversary of D-Day.

Since 1921, the Warriors' Day Parade has allowed Canadians to celebrate Canada's military achievements, honour the memory of fallen servicemen and women, and show their appreciation for those Veterans and Canadian Armed Forces members who have served.

Quick Facts

• Canada entered the First World War August 4, 1914, and the conflict ended November 11, 1918, with the signing of the Armistice.
• More than 650,000 Canadians and Newfoundlanders served in the First World War. Sadly, over the duration of the war, more than 66,000 lost their lives and more than 172,000 were wounded in the fighting.
• More than eight percent of Canada's total population was in uniform during the conflict. Hundreds of thousands of other Canadians worked on the home front, in industry and in agriculture to support the war effort.
• The Warriors' Day Parade is the longest-running parade of its kind in Canada.
• The Government of Canada recently marked the 100^th anniversary of the beginning of the First World War and launched Canada's World Wars Commemoration period.
• Until 2002, the Government of Canada will commemorate and honour all the Canadian men and women who bravely served our country during the First and Second World Wars.

Quotes

"Our government is proud to recognize the Warriors' Day Parade Council members for their commitment and dedication to honouring the legacy of those who have served. This year, the parade's focus on the 100^th anniversary of the start of the First World War and the 70^th anniversary of D-Day offers Canadians an important opportunity to remember the sacrifices and contributions of all those who served in these two pivotal chapters in our nation's history."
The Honourable Julian Fantino, Minister of Veterans Affairs

"I was privileged to join with tens of thousands of spectators at today's parade to honour the sacrifices of the men and women who have served our country in times of war, armed conflict and peace. It was an important opportunity for Torontonians and all Canadians to pay tribute to our Veterans, particularly those who served in the First World War and on D-Day."
Ted Opitz, Member of Parliament for Etobicoke Centre

"As we mark our 93^rd anniversary, we offer our sincere thanks to the many hard-working volunteers who make the event possible each year. We also thank the Canadian National Exhibition for their tremendous commitment for the Warriors' Day Parade over the last 93 years. We were particularly proud to welcome the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI) to this year's parade as they celebrate their 100^th anniversary. During the parade, serving members of the PPCLI conducted their Memorial Baton Relay. The baton, which is being run from Edmonton to Ottawa, contains the full Honour Role of the Regiment."
MWO Mark Stephens CD, President of the Warriors' Day Parade Council

Associated Links

• Canada Remembers the First World War
• World War Commemorations
• The Warrior's Day Parade

SOURCE: Veterans Affairs Canada

Ashlee Smith
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Veterans Affairs
613-996-4649

Media Relations
Veterans Affairs Canada
613-992-7468