Nipissing-Timiskaming MP Pauline Rochefort is acknowledging supporters after what she earlier called ‘historic Victoria Cross’ news from the House of Commons.
On Friday, Longueuil—Charles-LeMoyne MP Sherry Romanado, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence, confirmed the Government of Canada has agreed to establish an independent military honours review board.
The board, once formed, will review Afghanistan veterans’ cases where new evidence may suggest the criteria for the Victoria Cross were met.
Rochefort spoke in the House of Commons on Monday, thanking supporters, noting 65,000 letters were received.
There was also support from the Senate and several provinces, including Ontario, Alberta, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.
The government’s response comes after years of efforts by several groups and individuals, which saw Rochefort present a petition with over 16,000 signatures to Parliament in April.
[RELATED] Petition calling for Independent Military Honours Review Board presented to Parliament
The petition called for the first review to involve the late Jess Larochelle, who was born in Restoule.
He was awarded the Star of Military Valour for bravery while defending his position with a broken back against overwhelming Taliban forces in Oct. 2006.
