Construction Underway at Metcalfe Cenotaph
Poilievre says work will be complete before Remembrance Day

 

Metcalfe, ON —Pierre Poilievre, Member of Parliament for Nepean-Carleton, announced on Thursday that Martel & Sons Inc. has been awarded the contract to complete the restoration and renovation of the cenotaph in Metcalfe. As part of the Fallen, but not Forgotten initiative, the work will include adding the names of four omitted soldiers to the World War I monument. Following the announcement, Poilievre participated in a groundbreaking ceremony with representatives from Martel & Sons Inc., as well as with Rob Brewster, Director from the Osgoode Village Community Association and Coreen Atkins-Sheldrick, the local historian who first discovered the names were missing.

 “This groundbreaking ceremony represents the pledge that we as Canadians make, to never forget,” said Poilievre. “Within the next couple weeks, a century-long omission will be corrected.”

 

“Martel and Sons Inc. is excited to have been chosen to complete this important project,” said Yvon Lacroix, a sales representative from the company. “It is an honour to know that the work we do here over the next couple of weeks will honour those who served our country and fought for our freedom.”

 

Lacroix explained that they will be cleaning both the World War I and II monuments, and repairing the damage to the name “CARSON” which is missing an “N”. Due to the lack of available space on the current World War I monument, they are adding a new sub-base bearing the names of the four omitted soldiers: Private Ernest Lytton Bonsall, Private William Edward Murphy, Private E. Thomas Henry Poole, and Gunner Arthur Workman. There will also be room for additional names should more omissions like these be found in the future. Finally, the base of the Canadian flag will be repaired. The entire project will cost roughly $7000.

 

With only a month until Remembrance Day, some in the community have expressed concern that the cenotaph will be in disrepair during the annual ceremony. To address these concerns, Poilievre indicated that he has been working closely with Martel & Sons Inc. They have provided him a written guarantee that the project will be complete in time for the November 11 service.

 

The Fallen, but not Forgotten initiative was launched by Poilievre just over four months ago. Since this time over $7000 has been raised, both from the community and with a government grant.

 

metcalfe-cenotaph

MP Pierre Poilievre with supporters of the new Metcalfe Cenotaph - construction will commence immediately and work will be completed by Remembrance Day 2012.