Member Statement (13 April 2026)

From Hansard (13 April 2026)

To view this section on video, click here and start play at 1:53:35 PM.

Community Rallies to Repair Historic Cenotaph

Blaine McLeod: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Royal United Services Institute of Regina is a non-profit organization that has operated in Saskatchewan for over 100 years. Its mandate is to honour past and present members of the Canadian Armed Forces and to promote military heritage in the province through education, advocacy, research, storytelling, museum work, internships, exhibits, and public engagement.

One of its most visible contributions sits at the heart of the city in Victoria Park. Since 2020, 36 pedestals have been installed around the cenotaph, each one telling a powerful story of service and sacrifice: topics such as D-Day, the Korean War, Indigenous veterans, war brides, and Vimy Ridge. These stories became even more accessible through QR [quick response] codes allowing visitors to explore deeper through images and narratives on their phones.

Unfortunately in early March 2026, three pedestals were vandalized significantly, damaging important public history installations intended to educate and commemorate. Mr. Speaker, this is not the first time. But response from the community has been immediate and uplifting. Support has ranged from grassroots community efforts such as the Copper Kettle offering lunch to volunteers from Remco Memorials doing the repair work, with members of parliament reaching out to offer any assistance required.

The vandalism was disappointing, but the reaction has reinforced that these stories matter, and so does the work of preserving them. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.