For Immediate Release:
March 31, 2010
Queen’s Park – Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett is encouraging residents to join in recognizing, Vimy Ridge Day April 9th after PC MPP Norm Sterling saw his bill to proclaim the date passed with all-party support in the Legislature yesterday.
Carleton-Mississippi Mills MPP Norm Sterling’s Bill proclaims April 9 as Vimy Ridge Day and requires flags at the Legislative Building to be flown at half-mast. Liberal MPP Mr. David Zimmer and NDP MPP Mr. Michael Prue co-sponsored the Bill leading to its immediate passage.
“This is a very significant initiative to never forget the heroic efforts of those who were hurt and gave their lives at Vimy Ridge now 93 years ago,” stated MPP Barrett. “As there are no Canadian veterans of World War One still living, it is more important than ever that Canadians make a point of remembering our World War One Veterans and the honour they brought to Canada.”
“The Battle of Vimy Ridge should be remembered not only for the sacrifice made by the 3,598 Canadian men who died during the Battle and the 10,600 who were injured, but also for its importance in the evolution of Canada as an independent nation,” said Mr. Sterling. “The Battle of Vimy Ridge was the first time that four Canadian divisions fought together under Canadian leadership.”
The Vimy Foundation has been set up to maintain and enhance the memory of Vimy Ridge and Canada’s contribution to World War One. The Vimy Foundation has created the Vimy Pin which depicts the towers of the Vimy Memorial in France in front of a maple leaf and includes four colour bars representing the four Canadian Divisions involved in the Battle. Mr. Sterling distributed Vimy Pins to all Members of the Ontario Legislature.
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For more information, please contact MPP Toby Barrett at
(519) 428-0446 or (905)-765-8413, 1-800-903-8629
Vimy Ridge Day Act, 2010
Legislative Assembly of Ontario
March 30, 2010
Mr. Norman W. Sterling: Yes. Mr. Speaker, with your indulgence, I would like to acknowledge that Jean Thérèse Riley from the Vimy Ridge Foundation is with us here in the gallery.
As I explained to the Legislature in my member’s statement, it is important that Ontarians and Canadians remember the battle of Vimy Ridge. In 2003, the Parliament of Canada passed an act recognizing this date, and I think it’s now time for the Ontario Parliament to do the same.
The bill is modeled after that federal legislation, and I am encouraged to note that perhaps we have unanimous consent to pass this for second and third reading today. For that reason, I’d like to just state the two sections of the bill so each member of the Legislature understands fully what they’re passing if they vote for that unanimous consent.
Section 1 identifies that April 9 in each year is to be proclaimed as Vimy Ridge Day. Section 2 of the bill states that all Canadian flags flown on the exterior of the Legislative Building and its adjoining premises shall be flown at half mast on April 9 in each year.
I’d like to thank all members of the Legislature for their support of this bill. It is truly a non-partisan matter, and I am glad that all parties and all members of the Legislature are acting in that manner.
We all honour our veterans, and I’m just so proud this day that we all recognize it