Prime Minister Stephen Harper to attend Vimy ceremonies in France

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced that he and his family will join thousands of Canadians in France on April 9, 2007, to mark the 90th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge and the dedication of the newly restored Canadian National Vimy Memorial.

“The Battle of Vimy Ridge was a critical victory for the Allies in the First World War and it was an important milestone for Canada,” said the Prime Minister. “Our young country came of age as an independent nation that day and I am extremely proud to represent Canada at the 90th anniversary.”

Prime Minister Harper will be accompanied by his wife, Laureen, and their two children, Rachel and Benjamin. In July of last year, the Prime Minister and Mrs. Harper visited the gravesite in northern France of her great uncle, Private James Teskey, who died during the Battle of Arras on June 11, 1917.

In addition to the main ceremony on April 9, the Prime Minister will attend the Freedom of the City parade in Arras on April 8 and an Easter Sunday Dinner with Veterans.

The Battle of Vimy Ridge marked the first time all four Divisions of the Canadian Corps had gone into battle together. Their victory, which came at a cost of more than 10,000 casualties including 3,598 dead, was a vital strategic breakthrough that had eluded their British and French allies for two years. April 9, 2007, will be the first time since 1917 that April 9 has fallen on Easter Monday.