Ottawa, ON — The Hon. Pierre Poilievre, Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada and the Official Opposition, released the following statement on the Anniversary of the Start of World War I:
“On August 4th, 1914, as chaos descended on Europe, Canada was thrust into the First World War. As a young nation of less than eight million people, the uncertainty was immense – but by the thousands, Canadians courageously answered the call, putting their lives on the line to stand up for our values.
“Within six weeks, 33,000 Canadians were headed across the Atlantic, bound for war. In the four brutal years that followed, 620,000 Canadian men and women put on a uniform, joining the fight for freedom and the rule of law. Over 61,000 of them never made it back home.
“Today, we remember these inspiring Canadians. We remember the heroism they displayed on the battlefields of Ypres, Vimy Ridge, and Passchendaele and honour the unparalleled sacrifices that were made to restore peace to the world.
“In the turmoil of war, these people represented the strength of the Canadian spirit, proving that we can accomplish incredible feats when Canadians band together for freedom. Their contributions helped Canada emerge as a country ready to take control of its own destiny.
“The last one of these incredible patriots died in 2010, but their shining legacy lives on. Today, as we continue to grieve our fallen, we reflect with pride on their incredible bravery and all that they helped accomplish for Canada and the world. We owe them nothing less than our eternal gratitude.
“Lest we forget.”