would participate in the official opening ceremony for the new Juno Beach
Centre in Normandy, France on Friday June 6, 2003. In November, Eves announced
that the government would provide $1 million towards the construction of the
new $10 million centre.
"The Juno Beach Centre will offer visitors a historic journey back in
time that will educate our youth and honour the valour and courage of our
veterans," said Eves. "I'm honoured that our government is a partner in this
project, to attend this event with our veterans and to represent the people of
Ontario."
The Juno Beach Centre -- which stands on the site where Canadian soldiers
landed on D-Day -- will be an educational facility commemorating the D-Day
landings, the various theatres of the war and the contributions made by
Canadian civilians on the home front. When fully completed, it will feature
displays informing visitors of all ages about Canada's participation in the
war effort as well as displays depicting life in Canada today.
Eves also announced today that the government is issuing requests for
proposals for the construction of a veteran's memorial that will be located on
the northwest corner of College Street and Queen's Park Circle. As well, Major
General Richard Rohmer has been chosen to chair an advisory committee that
will help select the winning design of the memorial. The project is expected
to cost approximately $1.5 million and will start early this fall.
Over 21,000 Canadian soldiers landed at Juno Beach on June 6, 1944, at a
cost of 340 lives. Another 574 were wounded and 47 were taken prisoner. During
the war, more than 45,000 Canadians lost their lives and another 55,000 were
wounded. Over 400,000 of Canada's one million volunteers were from Ontario.
"The Juno Beach Centre will help preserve the stories of brave men and
women who fought to keep us free," said Eves. "It is my hope that it will
inspire a greater appreciation for freedom, democracy and our great nation in
each and every visitor."