On behalf of the Honourable Julian Fantino, Minister of Veterans Affairs, Royal Galipeau, MP for Ottawa–Orléans, today paid tribute to the memory of Canadian and Allied Veterans buried in the National Field of Honour.

Joined by members of the Canadian Armed Forces, dignitaries, the parents and family members of the deseased, as well as members of the public, he commemorated the achievements and sacrifices made by those who represented the values of freedom and democracy that are so dear to Canada, both at home and abroad.

The annual ceremony at the National Field of Honour, the first Canadian cemetery intended solely for soldiers and their families, is an opportunity to recognize the outstanding contribution made by the men and women who sacrificed themselves for Canada and who helped to shape its history.

The Last Post Fund is a national non-profit organization that works closely with Veterans Affairs Canada to ensure that all Veterans are equal at death, whatever their economic situation.

Quick facts

• Veterans Affairs Canada’s Funeral and Burial Assistance Program is administered by the Last Post Fund.
• Founded in Montréal in 1909, the Last Post Fund is a non-profit organization whose mission is to ensure, as far as possible, that no war Veterans, military disability pensioners or civilians who meet the wartime service eligibility criteria are denied a dignified funeral and burial for lack of sufficient funds.
• Through Economic Action Plan 2014, the Government will invest $108.2 million over three years to expand the eligibility criteria for the Funeral and Burial Assistance Program, and thus ensure that modern-day Veterans of modest means have access to a dignified funeral and burial.

Quotes

"Our government is proud to recognize the contributions of the men and women who fought for peace, freedom and democracy. Commemorative ceremonies such as this help to ignite the flame of remembrance and preserve our collective military history."

The Honourable Julian Fantino, Minister of Veterans Affairs Canada

"We are here today in this solemn place, the National Field of Honour, to remember the sacrifices of all of those who defended our homeland. Let us remember the achievements of those who have forever marked the history of our glorious country."

Royal Galipeau, MP for Ottawa–Orleans