Honouring Canadian Heroes on Remembrance Day
Ontario unveils the new Memorial to Honour Canadian Heroes of the War in Afghanistan
Throughout our history, Canadians have always shown exceptional bravery and dedication in the defence of our country and in the fight for freedom during the First and Second World Wars, the Korean War, the War in Afghanistan, and UN peacekeeping operations.
With their blood, they bought our freedom, and through their courageous actions, they brought peace to our world. It is a debt of gratitude we can never fully repay except by protecting all that they fought for.
That’s why our PC government was pleased to unveil today a Memorial to Honour Canadian Heroes of the War in Afghanistan. This permanent tribute delivers on the government’s commitment to commemorate the valour and sacrifice of the veterans, active members of the Canadian Armed Forces and their families, including those who served in recent wars.
“As Premier, I made a promise to the people of Ontario to build this memorial as a permanent reminder of those Canadian heroes who served in the War in Afghanistan, and today on Remembrance Day, we keep that promise,” said Doug Ford, MPP for Etobicoke North and Premier of Ontario. “We remember their sacrifice, we grieve with the loved ones of the fallen, and we thank them for their service to our province and to our country. God bless all our veterans, our active service members, and their families.”
Today’s unveiling is only part of our government’s continued efforts to honour and support veterans, active members of the Canadian Armed Forces and their families. Since June 2018, additional initiatives have included:
- November 10, 2020: The government committed to investing $200,000 and supporting the transfer of land to help the Homes For Heroes Foundation create up to 25 tiny homes for military veterans experiencing homelessness.
- November 9, 2020: The province announced a program with Helmets to Hardhats to help military veterans and reservists transition to civilian life by connecting them to well-paying, in-demand jobs in the construction industry.
- November 6, 2020: Canadian Armed Forces veterans are eligible to apply for internal competitions for non-unionized jobs within the Ontario Public Service.
- November 6, 2020: The government announced a commitment of $3 million to support the Valour Games, a new, national multi-sport competition for wounded, ill and injured military personnel and veterans.
- September 18, 2020: The government introduced the Soldiers’ Aid Commission Act, 2020 to ensure that all Ontario veterans, not just those who served in the Second World War and the Korean War, and their families will be eligible to apply for financial assistance.
- August 20, 2020: The province announced it is providing $500,000 to retrain veterans for jobs in the IT and technology sector ― part of a$1.8 million investment in IT and technology training
- November 4, 2019: The government launched the Ontario Military Families Relocation Hotline, a one-stop hotline that connects Canadian Armed Forces personnel with live customer service agents and provides them with specialized knowledge on health cards, driver’s licences and vehicle registration.
- January 1, 2019: All veterans and active Canadian Armed Forces members residing in Ontario can enjoy recreational fishing across the province without having to purchase a fishing licence.
Our PC government will always stand shoulder to shoulder with our veterans, our active servicemen and servicewomen, and our military families.