Harper Government Announces Funding to Restore Japanese Canadian War Memorial

News Release

Veterans Affairs Minister, Julian Fantino, also highlights changes to Government of Canada commemoration and remembrance-based initiatives

Reference: N14044E

May 21, 2014 - Vancouver - Veterans Affairs Canada

The Minister of Veterans Affairs today announced funding to help restore the Japanese Canadian War Memorial in Stanley Park. A focal point for commemorative and remembrance activities, the Memorial commemorates Japanese Canadians who served and lost their lives during the First World War, the Second World War and the Korean War.

The restoration project is being headed up by the Nikkei National Museum and Cultural Centre. As part of today’s announcement, Minister Fantino also highlighted changes to Veterans Affairs Canada’s Commemorative Partnership Program. From now through to 2020, the program will support international initiatives and include for-profit businesses and organizations in an effort to mark the centennial of the First World War and the 75^th anniversary of the Second World War.

These changes to the Commemorative Partnership Program build on other recent improvements the Government of Canada has made to modernize and update the way it delivers services to Veterans. For more information on commemorative activities and programs, please visit veterans.gc.ca.

Quick Facts

Japanese Canadians have served impressively and sacrificed greatly in the First and Second World Wars, the Korean War, and in our country’s more recent military efforts. During the First World War alone, some 200 Japanese Canadians overcame many barriers to bravely serve in uniform. More than 50 would lose their lives on the battlefields of the Western Front in the cause of peace and freedom and over 90 more were wounded.
The Nikkei National Museum and Cultural Centre is receiving $25,000 toward the restoration of the Japanese Canadian War Memorial in Stanley Park.
Applications are being accepted by Veterans Affairs Canada’s Commemorative Partnership Program—which is comprised of the Community Engagement Partnership Fund (CEPF) and the Cenotaph/Monument Restoration Program (CMRP). Quarterly deadlines for submitting applications are the first business day of April, July, October and January.
Applications for Veterans’ Week (November 5 – 11) events or projects will be accepted until the first business day of September.
Grants are now available for low risk projects ($10,000 or less).
Eligible project costs now include permanent exhibits.
Across the country, there are more than 6,000 local cenotaphs and monuments dedicated to Canada’s war dead and Veterans. #ShowYouRemember

Quotes

"In our communities and around the world, commemoration is essential to keep alive the achievements and sacrifices made by our Veterans and Canadian Armed Forces personnel. It is incumbent upon all of us to promote a better understanding and appreciation of the efforts made by Canadians whose legacy is the peace and security we are all so privileged to enjoy in Canada today."
The Honourable Julian Fantino, Minister of Veterans Affairs

"The stately, masterful stonework of the Japanese Canadian War Memorial in Stanley Park is being lovingly restored by the Japanese Canadian War Memorial Committee on the centenary of the Great War. By restoring the cenotaph, we continue to remember, and honor the determination and sacrifices made for our great country, Canada."
Linda Kawamoto Reid, Chair, Japanese Canadian War Memorial Committee

Associated Links

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Contacts

Nicholas Bergamini
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Veterans Affairs
613-996-4649

Media Relations
Veterans Affairs Canada
613-992-7468

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Harper Government Announces Funding to Restore Japanese Canadian War Memorial

News Release

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