QUÉBEC, QUÉBEC, August 8, 2005 -- The Government of Canada is proud to participate in this year's Expo Québec from August 17 to 28, 2005. And for good reason!
In honour of the bravery and commitment of our Canadian war veterans, the Canada Pavilion will feature a special tribute called The Life of a Canadian Soldier.
This is especially fitting, as 2005 is the Year of the Veteran, with events of remembrance taking place throughout the country to recognize the contributions of our veterans. It is a national celebration of veterans' achievements and an opportunity to preserve the memory of their momentous sacrifices.
The Life of a Canadian Soldier, a heart-warming presentation developed by Veterans Affairs Canada, is a theatrical re-enactment that uses artifacts, mementos and the personal memories of our veterans to bring alive the Battle of Vimy Ridge and life as it was in the trenches of France during World War 1.
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada will also be part of the Canada Pavilion with an interactive display about the contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples, and Northerners. Visitors can also participate in the building of a small Inuksuk and enjoy an audio-visual montage called Sharing the Story: The Inuksuk.
The Canada Pavilion gives Canadians an opportunity to meet in person with Government of Canada representatives from various departments and agencies, and to learn more about the many programs and services available to them.
The Canada Pavilion's presence at Expo Québec is the fourth in a series of nine special events that takes place from coast to coast during 2005-2006.
Visit the Canada Pavilion when it stops at Expo Québec!
For more information on Government of Canada programs and services, visit canada.gc.ca or call the toll-free number 1 800 O-Canada.
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For further information, media may contact:
Mario Baril
Manager, Media Relations
Public Works and Government Services Canada
(819) 956-2315
BACKGROUNDER
THE CANADA PAVILION AT EXPO QUÉBEC
The Canada Pavilion is a travelling exhibition that draws together, under one roof, many Canadian government departments and agencies. Since its inception in 2000, over
5 million people have taken the opportunity to meet in person with Government of Canada representatives to learn more about the numerous programs and services available to them.
At Expo Québec, the Canada Pavilion salutes our war veterans with a special presentation developed by Veterans Affairs Canada called The Life of a Canadian Soldier. In keeping with The Year of the Veteran theme, the Pavilion is proud to participate in honouring our Canadian veterans for their bravery and sacrifices during the war years.
During the 2005-2006 tour of the Pavilion, various government departments and agencies will be exhibiting in the Canada Pavilion. Among the participating departments at Expo Québec, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada will take part with an interactive display about the contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples, and Northerners. Visitors can also participate in the building of a small Inuksuk and enjoy an audio-visual montage called Sharing the Story: The Inuksuk.
The Canada Pavilion is the flagship exhibit of the Government of Canada Exhibitions Program, managed by Public Works and Government Services Canada. This Program is designed to reach out to Canadians to promote government services and to provide citizens with useful and practical information.
Throughout the year, the Canada Pavilion proudly takes part in nine exciting events across Canada, engaging visitors in various activities and making available a wide variety of information. Enthusiasm and interaction will be front and centre at the Canada Pavilion when it stops at Expo Québec, August 17 to 28, 2005. Don't miss this chance to visit the Pavilion and help pay tribute to our Canadian war veterans.
For more information on Government of Canada programs and services, visit canada.gc.ca or call the toll-free number 1 800 O-Canada (1 800 622-6232).
BACKGROUNDER
THE LIFE OF A CANADIAN SOLDIER
On Easter morning, 1917, in the frigid darkness that preceded a sleet-filled dawn, 170,000 troops of the Canadian Corps, including nearly 100,000 Canadians, prepared for battle. Before them lay a massive rise: a fortress of the earth, hardened against attack by all the deadly ingenuity of man. Vimy Ridge. It was their objective.
The Life of a Canadian Soldier is a theatrical re-enactment that uses vignettes, artifacts and the personal memories of Veterans to portray what it was like during the First World War as the Allies overtook the German hold of Vimy Ridge. It captures wartime experiences, and conveys them in a uniquely powerful and interactive way.
The Life of a Canadian Soldier brings alive the Battle of Vimy Ridge and life as it was in the trenches of France. It recreates history and is another way in which Veterans Affairs Canada is continuing to celebrate, honour, thank, and remember Canadian Veterans, as well as teach youth, during the Year of the Veteran.
Many of the artifacts and mementos featured in the exhibit belong to Veterans. These are the items that help make the exhibit a strong representation of Canada and its soldiers. The Life of a Canadian Soldier is one in a series of exhibits featured in The Chronicle of the Unknown Soldier.
"The Life of a Canadian Soldier is more than just a recollection of facts and dates about the Battle of Vimy Ridge. It is an effort to touch the hearts of people with reality," says Diane Tardif, Commemoration Program Officer with Veterans Affairs Canada's Quebec Regional Office and creator of The Life of a Canadian Soldier.
This exhibit will travel across Canada during 2005, with stops in Charlottetown, Calgary, Québec, London, Halifax, Regina, St. Boniface and Moncton.
To learn more about the Year of the Veteran, please visit www.vac-acc.gc.ca
2005 is the Year of the Veteran: Celebrate. Honour. Thank. Remember. Teach.
