Member of Parliament Guy Lauzon to Announce Support for Commemoration of Battle of Crysler’s Farm
MORRISBURG, Ontario, July 12, 2013 - Guy Lauzon, Member of Parliament (Stormont–Dundas–South Glengarry), on behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, will announce funding for the Friends of Crysler’s Farm Battlefield Memorial, on Sunday, to commemorate this key battle of the War of 1812.
“Our investment will help increase public awareness of the importance of this battle and the War of 1812, which was a defining chapter of our nation’s history,” said Mr. Lauzon. “It will allow the Friends of Crysler’s Farm Battlefield Memorial to organize activities marking the bicentennial of the battle in November and linking the event to the national Remembrance Day observances.”
The announcement will be made at the Crysler’s Farm Battlefield Memorial, where hundreds of people will take part in battle re-enactments representing naval, artillery, cavalry and infantry units from across Canada and the US.
The successful outcome of the Battle of Crysler’s Farm has deep roots in the communities along the St. Lawrence corridor. The contribution to the battle by the Dundas Militia is remembered today by Cornwall’s own Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders—a regiment that proudly carries the battle honour CRYSLER’S FARM. Units from Quebec, including the Canadian Regiment of Fencible Infantry The Canadian Voltigeurs, also played a central role in the battle, with the Fencibles suffering 33 percent casualties, the highest percentage of any British/Canadian unit in the battle. Those units, as well as their hard-won battle honour CRYSLER’S FARM, are today commemorated by two of the most storied units in the Canadian Army, Quebec’s own Royal 22e Regiment and the Voltigeurs de Québec.
“The victory at the Battle of Crysler’s Farm, along with the victory two weeks earlier at the Battle of Chateauguay, prevented the American capture of Montreal in 1813 and ensured that the connection between Montreal and Upper Canada would remain intact. This victory, popularly known as ‘the Battle that saved Canada,’ was a crucial moment in the War of 1812,” said Minister Moore. “Our Government is proud to invest in projects that contribute to our collective identity and define who we are as Canadians.”
“Funding from the Government of Canada will make it possible to bring the story of Canada’s ‘other November 11’ to elementary students in Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry who are studying the War of 1812 as part of their school curriculum, through the purchase of educational material,” said Robin R. Morris, Chair, the Friends of Crysler’s Farm Battlefield Memorial. “It will also help organize a service of remembrance at the battlefield site on November 11.”
The Government of Canada has provided funding of $24,950 to the Friends of Crysler’s Farm Battlefield Memorial through Canadian Heritage’s 1812 Commemoration Fund. The Fund supports community-based projects to foster greater awareness and understanding of the importance of this conflict.
Funding of $171,400 was also provided through the Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage program for commemoration activities taking place this weekend on the Crysler’s Farm Battlefield Memorial. This program provides Canadians with more opportunities to take part in activities that present local arts and culture and celebrate local history and heritage.
Visit 1812.gc.ca to learn more about the Fight forCanada.
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