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Vimy Ridge Memorial was defaced with graffiti on Aug. 15. (file photo/Royal Canadian Legion)
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Vimy Ridge Memorial was defaced with graffiti on Aug. 15. (File photo/Royal Canadian Legion)
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MP Blake Richards representing the riding of Banff-Airdrie and the Conservative shadow minister for Veterans Affairs, and Pierre Paul-Hus, Quebec political lieutenant, have released a joint statement regarding the vandalization of the Vimy Ridge Memorial in France:

“We are shocked and disturbed to learn that Canada’s Vimy Ridge Memorial in France has been vandalized," it states. “This abhorrent act is an affront to the thousands of Canadians who made the ultimate sacrifice at Vimy Ridge in the service of Canada."

They call it a place of solemn reflection and remembrance where visitors honour the memory of the brave Canadians who served and laid down their lives at Vimy Ridge and throughout the First World War.

“Those who committed this appalling act of vandalism should be ashamed of their actions, and should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Canada and France must stand together in showing that there will be zero tolerance for these actions.”

Veterans Affairs Minister Ginette Petitpas Taylor also issued a statement condemning the vandalism.

On Aug. 15, it is reported an employee of the Vimy Memorial, which is maintained by Veterans Affairs Canada, spotted a person defacing the memorial with graffiti before fleeing the scene.

In her statement, Petitpas Taylor said Canadian officials are in contact with French authorities to aid in the investigation, and that the graffiti will be removed as soon as possible.

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MP Blake Richards presented the official Vimy Ridge pin to, from left, David Usherwood, Lawrence Charles, Steve Merritt, Steven Bachalo, and Brian Walford, who is wearing a uniform from the 10th Battalion, that participated in every major Canadian battle of the First World War, including Vimy Ridge. (file photo)

In April, Richards presented special commemorative pins in both Cochrane and Airdrie in advance of Vimy Ridge Day. Locally, the pins were presented to David Usherwood, Lawrence Charles, Steve Merritt, Steven Bachalo, and Brian Walford.

In 2017, the Cochrane cadets corps (King’s Own Calgary Regiment) travelled overseas on the centennial of the battle in April 2017 to visit the memorial.

 

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