Harper Government Invests in Honouring Graves of War of 1812 Veterans

PENETANGUISHENE, ON, Jan. 14, 2013 /CNW/ - Communities across Canada will have a chance to commemorate heroes of the War of 1812, thanks to an investment from the Government of Canada. Funding for the Historic Military Establishment of Upper Canada was announced today by Bruce Stanton, Member of Parliament (Simcoe North), on behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages.

This investment will help establish a national program to honour the graves of War of 1812 veterans. Canadians will be able to apply for granite plaques to be placed at veterans' gravesites. Each plaque will have a replica of the Upper Canada Preserved medal etched onto its surface. The original Upper Canada Preserved medal was produced after the War, but very few were actually awarded. A website will identify gravesites across Canada and feature the veterans' biographies, which will form a very useful database for students and researchers. At least one thousand plaques are expected to be distributed across the country.

"Our Government is proud to invest in projects that contribute to our collective identity and define who we are as Canadians," said Minister Moore. "On the road to 2017, let us celebrate all of the things that make Canada the united, strong, and free country we are today."

"By honouring their graves, we will learn more about these veterans who defended our land and ultimately won the fight for Canada," said Mr. Stanton. "This is a way to remember their heroic efforts, which tell the story of the Canada we know today—an independent and free country with a constitutional monarchy and its own parliamentary system."

"We are very pleased that the federal government has seen fit to supply funding for this most worthwhile project," said Lyn Downer, Chair of the Southern Georgian Bay War of 1812 Bicentennial Committee. "It will represent the first time in our history as a nation that we will honour the rank and file veterans of the War of 1812—veterans who, by virtue of their courage, strength of character and resolve, form the very foundation of our country."

The Historic Military Establishment of Upper Canada is a group of individuals who recreate the rich naval and military history of Upper Canada from 1750 to 1880. They take part in many educational and public events, in addition to co-ordinating and participating in living history and battle re-enactments across North America.

The Government of Canada has provided funding of $140,000 through Canadian Heritage's 1812 Commemoration Fund. The Fund supports community-based projects to foster greater awareness and understanding of the importance of this conflict.

Visit 1812.gc.ca to learn more about the 200^th anniversary of the War of 1812.

SOURCE: Canadian Heritage

For further information:

(media only), please contact:

Sébastien Gariépy
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
and Official Languages
819-997-7788

Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
[e-mail]

(This news release is available on the Internet at www.canadianheritage.gc.ca under Newsroom.)