NEWS RELEASE
BRENT ST. DENIS, MP
*********************** Brent St. Denis to represent veterans affairs committee at 90th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge in France
March 29, 2007 - Ottawa - As vice-chair of the House of Commons standing committee on veterans affairs, Brent St. Denis MP for Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing will join other committee members in France for the celebration of the 90th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge.
"I am honoured to represent the veterans committee in France to commemorate this historic anniversary," St. Denis said. "The Battle of Vimy Ridge was a defining moment in Canadian history and one that Canadians should all remember," said St. Denis.
"On April 9, 1917 at Vimy Ridge, 100,000 Canadian soldiers fought shoulder-to-shoulder for the first time in international battle under the Canadian flag and under a Canadian commander," he said.
"Canadians fought together and won together."
"This victory has become known as the day when Canada truly became a nation and it earned for Canada a signature on the Treaty of Versailles."
This Canadian victory was tremendous given that over the previous three years, 200,000 allied soldiers died in failed attempts to the take this strategic battleground.
By their extraordinary effort, planning, and tactical execution, the Canadian corps took Vimy Ridge and on that day, nearly 4,000 Canadian soldiers lost their lives, and thousands more were wounded.
"This battle is now considered a turning point in the First World War," said St. Denis.
"April 9 is now an official military heritage day in Canada as a result of the enactment of my former Bill C-227," he said.
"This coming Monday, April 9 will be the 90th anniversary of the great Battle of Vimy Ridge."
"I therefore invite all to participate in local Legion events to honour this important event of our history."
"I would also like to thank the Elliot Lake Branch (Ontario) and Robert Manuel for their inspiration and support."
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