Veterans Affairs Minister Greg Thompson Orders Removal of Panels at Vimy Ridge

News Release

April 5, 2007
Ottawa The Honourable Greg Thompson, Minister of Veterans Affairs, has ordered the immediate removal of all panels that contained numerous grammatical errors in the French translation at Canada's Vimy Interpretive Centre in France.
"I have just been made aware of this situation and it is totally unacceptable. As soon as the errors were confirmed, it was obvious the only solution was to remove the panels," said Minister Thompson. "I immediately instructed my officials to correct this situation and to ensure this will never happen again. I also requested from my Department to get all the facts on why and how this occurred in the first place.""We have a responsibility to reflect the linguistic duality of our country. Canada's Official Languages must be properly displayed at all Government of Canada sites especially at one as important as the Canada National Vimy Memorial," explained Minister Thompson. "Canada's New Government's commitment to official languages is unwavering. Our quick reaction clearly demonstrates our will to fulfil that commitment."
Minister Thompson said it will be possible to produce new panels, and quickly. But he said it would be inappropriate to have the existing panels on display when the world gathers at the site this Easter weekend to mark the 90th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge.
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Media Enquiries:

Janice Summerby Media Relations Advisor Veterans Affairs Canada (613) 992-7468

Gerald A. Lefebvre Director of Communications Office of the Minister of Veterans Affairs (613) 996-4649

All Other Enquiries:information@vac-acc.gc.ca

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Veterans Affairs Minister Greg Thompson Orders Removal of Panels at Vimy Ridge

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