Mr. Speaker, while the sky rained shells and brave men died, 100,000 Canadians moved forth in a hell of inhumanity, testing their mettle and mortality of soul.
They advanced on unconquerable Vimy Ridge. On that same ridge tens of thousands had died before in vain British and French assaults. The goal—now Canada's turn.
Canada's finest young men won the contest that day, a victory for all the world to see. The greatest victory of World War I, Vimy Ridge, would enter Canadian history on April 12, 1917. Many would say that Canada took birth that day, born into the world of nations with respect, born by the blood of our young, born through their determination and skill. The spirit lives on to this day. It lives on in the name and scholastic pursuits of l'Académie Vimy Ridge in Edmonton.