Following a week in which vandals desecrated numerous war memorials across Canada, the word that a private member’s bill making such an act a criminal offence is gaining momentum in the House of Commons is extremely welcome news.
Bill C-217 would make it illegal to commit mischief “in relation to property, buildings, or structures, including a war memorial or cenotaph, that primarily serves as a monument in honour of persons who were killed or died as a consequence of war.”
Considering the rash of recent vandalism, the bill couldn’t come at a better time. Just days before Canadians gather to honour soldiers who have made the ultimate sacrifice, three recent instances show that some people are ignorant of the importance of these memorials.
On Nov. 6, just two days after its rededication, a vandal allegedly climbed atop the newly refurbished First World War memorial outside of Toronto’s Malvern Collegiate, removed letters from the memorial and wrapped it in blue duct tape – all while three of his friends captured the occasion on their cellphone cameras.
Thankfully, their actions were also caught on the school’s surveillance cameras and Toronto police are working to track them down.
Just three days earlier, vandals in Calgary sprayed graffiti across Poppy Plaza, a brand new $9.2 million memorial being developed at Memorial Drive and 10th Street N.W. leaving workers scrambling to clean up the mess.
Up north, officials with Royal Canadian Legion Branch 220 in Inuvik, N.W.T. are also picking up the pieces after one or more people broke into the building early on the morning of Nov. 5. According to the CBC, the suspect(s) caused considerable damage before making off with their booty: a few bottles of alcohol.
Introduced in the House of Commons by Conservative MP David Tilson (Dufferin-Caledon) on June 15, Bill C-217 recently came up for second reading.
Thankfully, Minister of Veterans Affairs Steven Blaney said the bill had the full support of government – meaning it will soon become law.
“Our cenotaphs and monuments are powerful reminders of the sacrifices that generations of Canadians have made for the peace and freedom we enjoy today,” Blaney said in a statement.
“As Canadians, we have a duty as a nation to preserve our memorials in honour of our fallen men and women, our veterans and those who continue to serve Canada today. We must respect our war memorials as they symbolize the important contributions of our veterans and servicemen and women.”
First-time offenders would face a $1,000 fine, second offences would result in 14 days imprisonment, and third and subsequent offences would result in a sentence of 30 days in jail.
But is this sufficient punishment for such despicable acts?
In the United Kingdom, which recently has seen its own share of war memorial vandalism, a singer known for making numerous morale-boosting trips to entertain troops during the Second World War is calling on her government to get tough on anyone who dares think of damaging a memorial.
Dame Vera Lynn called those who recently desecrated a number of UK memorials in order to sell the metal for scrap, “the lowest of the low” and suggested anyone convicted of a similar deed shouldn’t just be fined or imprisoned, they should be booted completely out of the country.
“I just can’t understand it – what’s the point in desecrating the memorials to the brave men who gave their lives?” Lynn told the Daily Express on Nov. 4. “It’s only because of them that we all live in freedom today. They are utterly despicable and should be turfed out of the country.”
Well said, Dame, well said.
