“This abhorrent act is an affront to the thousands of Canadians who made the ultimate sacrifice at Vimy Ridge in the service of Canada.”
Ms. Petitpas Taylor responded the next day with a statement. She said she was “appalled” to learn about the “reprehensible” act at the 100-hectare memorial site, which honours the 60,000 Canadians who gave their lives in Europe during World War I.
“The Memorial bears the names of those who died in France with no known grave and stands as a tribute to all Canadians who served during the First World War. It should inspire us to work toward lasting peace, for which those commemorated here gave their lives,” the minister said.
‘Deeply Disheartened’
Ms. Petitpas Taylor, who also served as associate minister of national defence, said the federal government is working with French authorities to find the person responsible.“Canadian officials have been in contact with French officials to share all the information at their disposal to aid in their investigation,” she said.
“VAC [Veterans Affairs Canada] officials are currently working with colleagues at Public Services and Procurement Canada and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission to ensure that the graffiti is removed as soon as possible.”
“Such actions disrespect the memory of the 11,285 Canadians missing in France with no known grave, whose names are listed on the monument,” the foundation said on Aug. 16.
In an email statement to The Epoch Times on Aug. 17, VAC spokesperson Marc Lescoutre confirmed that the memorial had been vandalized with graffiti and that “the graffiti has since been removed.”
