Respect for Ontario Veterans, Soldiers and War Dead Act Introduced in Legislature

For Immediate Release                                                                   

November 4, 2010

NEWS:

Nepean-Carleton PC MPP Lisa MacLeod called on the Ontario Legislature today to honour the thousands of men and women who have sacrificed their lives in military service by making the 11^th day of November a statutory holiday in Ontario.

Ontario is one of the few Canadian provinces and territories not to recognize Remembrance Day as a statutory holiday, even though 34% of Canada's war dead in Afghanistan called Ontario home, and thousands more Ontarians laid down their lives in WWI, WWII, the Boer War, the Korean War, and Peacekeeping Missions. 

MacLeod's Bill would ensure Remembrance Day becomes a statutory holiday in Ontario and recognize the sacrifices these brave individuals have made in the name of democracy and freedom.

The Bill would also require every school to hold a Remembrance Day service on the last day before November 11^th.

 QUOTES:

 "Ontarians show a spontaneous outpouring of grief each time a Canadian soldier is repatriated by saluting our fallen on the Highway of Heroes.  It is only fitting that Ontario commemorate the 11^th day of November as a statutory holiday to pay tribute to their sacrifices."

-- Lisa MacLeod, MPP Nepean-Carleton

 "Canadian veterans, soldiers and our war dead have done their part for freedom and democracy.  Now it is up to us to enshrine in law a statutory holiday that would allow all Ontarians to show their pride and support at Cenotaphs across Ontario on Remembrance Day."

 -- Lisa MacLeod, MPP Nepean-Carleton

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