Veterans Affairs Committee on Oct. 19th, 2010

[Guy André, Bloc, Berthier—Maskinongé, QC]

I have just one short comment to make, before we wrap up. Basically, it seems to me that we have an ethical dilemma on our hands, a conflict of values, if you will. I would like to hear what you think about that.

We have a government that awards medals to soldiers who participated in missions and performed exceptionally well. Therefore, worthy soldiers are rewarded with medals.

On the one hand, you're saying that the medal belongs to you and that you can dispose of it as you see fit, since you took part in a military mission and risked your life. To reward you for your efforts, the government awarded you a medal. On the other hand, the government is saying that the medal awarded to you is heritage property. It's memorabilia. It's cultural property that's part of history.

I have only one question. You have received several medals. When you received them, did you feel that they were awarded to you without any restrictions whatsoever, or rather that the medals given to you were a symbol of the country and, in a way, belonged to it? How do soldiers feel when they receive a medal? Do you understand what I mean? That is the dilemma we are facing.

Let's forget about the medals for a moment. If I'm given something, that something belongs to me. It's mine. The argument here seems to be that, when it comes to medals, things are different, since they are part of history and heritage. You're saying that things are not necessarily different, since the medals belong to you.

So, I would like to know how you felt when you received those medals.

[Pierre Allard]

I felt that I wasn't just getting a gift from Canada. The country was recognizing my military service and was expressing its gratitude to me for participating in certain combat missions, certain engagements to preserve the freedom of Canadians.

I respect my medals so much that I do not wear them regularly. I wear them only during the Remembrance Day ceremony or during special ceremonies that require we display our medals. I think that the solution to this problem is to educate people, and not just pass legislation that could possibly require things like—

[Guy André, Bloc, Berthier—Maskinongé, QC]

According to you, we're talking about individual property and not collective property or something that is part of our heritage.

[Pierre Allard]

Yes, basically. The medals were given to me without any restrictions.

[Guy André, Bloc, Berthier—Maskinongé, QC]

Without any restrictions.

[Brad White]

It recognizes my service to the country. And I agree with Pierre. I only wear my medals on those occasions when I am actually celebrating something like Remembrance Day, or another very ceremonial event. You will not see me wearing my medals to an event like this. Many people do, but my medals are only brought out on special occasions.

[Guy André, Bloc, Berthier—Maskinongé, QC]

Thank you.

[The Vice-Chair, Liberal, Judy Sgro]

Thank you very much.

I believe Ms. Duncan has one further comment.

[Kirsty Duncan, Liberal, Etobicoke North, ON]

Thank you, Madam Chair.

In listening to you, the last bit of discussion seemed to focus on one area, and I think it's important to remember that you brought forth a number of concerns.

With medals, I understand the struggle. It's about protecting history, cultural heritage, memory of a life of service. But it's also about recognizing our veterans, respecting them, and giving them choice.

Medals are deeply personal, they're personal to families, and they're awarded in good faith. I think that's the word--awarded. They are given to you, and they are your property.

I will make one other comment about cultural significance.

As Mr. Allard pointed out, context is everything. It's who and what the medal was for. It's like context in archeology. Without that context, I believe those medals will be lost to a museum drawer.

[The Vice-Chair, Liberal, Judy Sgro]

I think everybody got their points across.

Thank you very much.

We will continue with this on Thursday.

The meeting is adjourned.