OTTAWA, March 21, 2007 - The Honourable Jason Kenney, Secretary of State (Multiculturalism and Canadian Identity), is pleased to announce that the Canadian Red Ensign of 1917 will fly in France next month to commemorate the 90th Anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge and the re-dedication of the Canadian National Vimy Memorial.
Canada's New Government wishes to signal the importance of the Canadian Red Ensign to our national identity. As Speaker of the House of Commons, Alan MacNaughton said, at the flag-raising ceremony in 1965, "The Red Ensign will...take its honoured place among our national treasures."
"There is no greater tribute we could pay to our veterans, living and dead," said Secretary of State Kenney, "than to raise the flag under which, together with the Royal Union Flag (Union Jack), they fought and died for King and Country."
The Vimy Memorial has been restored at a cost of $20-million and will be complete in time for the anniversary and dedication in April.
Information:
Alykhan Velshi
Senior Special Assistant
Office of the Secretary of State (Multiculturalism and Canadian Identity)
819 934-1122
Donald Boulanger
A/Chief, Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819 994-9101
Great work.
ReplyDelete