QUESTION PERIOD — Ministry of Veterans Affairs
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
February 15, 2024
Minister, my question is to you in your capacity as the Minister of Veterans Affairs. In November, I made a statement in this chamber on the repatriation of the unknown First World War soldier from Northern France. The soldier’s remains will be reinterred in a specifically designed tomb at the Newfoundland National Memorial in St. John’s to represent Newfoundlanders and Labradorians who served in all branches of the military.
What is your department doing to support the Commonwealth War Graves Commission to facilitate these important remembrance actions?
Thank you again for that important question. When I became the Minister of Veterans Affairs, I had an opportunity to be briefed on a number of files. This was one of those files that I became quickly aware of. We certainly recognize that the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador wants to see the repatriation of an unknown First World War soldier from Northern France to be returned to Newfoundland and Labrador.
The Commemoration Branch of the Department of Veterans Affairs is working to make sure that is going to become a reality.
We also recognize that Newfoundland and Labrador became a part of our federation in 1949. That is a really important meeting, and they want to make sure that repatriation occurs. The department is working closely with our colleagues from the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador.
