Tilson's Bill Passes Senate

OTTAWA, ON – David Tilson, Member of Parliament for Dufferin-Caledon, is pleased to announce the passage at 3rd Reading in the Senate yesterday evening of his Private Members Bill protecting war memorials and cenotaphs, Bill C-217. Royal Assent is pending.

“It is an honour to finally have my Bill complete its final stage in Parliament,” said Mr. Tilson. “This Bill will protect our war memorials and cenotaphs from vandalism and desecration which is vitally important, especially to our veterans and members of the Canadian Forces.”

The process for Bill C-217 began just after the last election in June of 2011, when the Bill was first introduced in the House of Commons. In the intervening 35 months, C-217 has received many hours of discussion and debate in both the House of Commons and the Senate. Several veterans appeared with Mr. Tilson at Committee in both the House of Commons and the Senate to support the legislation, including Chris Skalozub of the Orangeville Legion.

“I want to thank all of those who have supported this legislation as it made its way through Parliament. I want to especially thank the veterans who appeared with me before the House and Senate Committees studying my Bill.” said Mr. Tilson. “It is a testament to how Members and Senators and all Canadians look upon such acts of desecration as a grave crime. It is fitting that the Senate passed my Bill just prior to the 70th anniversary of D-Day next week.”

C-217 adds significant penalties to anyone convicted of mischief against a war memorial, cenotaph or similar structure designed to honour those who have died as a result of war. A minimum fine of $1,000 would be imposed for a first offense, with a two week jail term for a second offense and a thirty day jail term for third and subsequent offenses.