Sask. legislature calls for return of Victoria Cross honours

Retired soldiers visited the Sask. legislature arguing post-1945 heroic acts deserve the Victoria Cross. Mick Favel reports.

The last time a Canadian received the Victoria Cross was in 1945. This week, the Saskatchewan legislature passed a motion calling on Ottawa to award the country’s highest military honour once again.

Created in 1856 by Queen Victoria, the medal recognizes extraordinary valour and devotion to duty in the presence of the enemy. Canada established its own version of the Victoria Cross in 1993, but it has never been awarded.

“Many times, acts of valour have been recorded and moved forward for recognition. Alas, nothing has been done at this point. It’s time to end that,” said Blaine McLeod, Saskatchewan’s provincial military liaison.

Valour in the Presence of the Enemy, a non-profit dedicated to honouring Canadian soldiers, worked with the province to bring the motion forward. It passed Wednesday.

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Willy MacDonald, who served 25 years in the Canadian Army and completed two tours in Afghanistan, said he saw Canadian soldiers perform heroic acts that merit the Victoria Cross. MacDonald himself was awarded the Star of Military Valour for his actions during a fierce battle at a Taliban stronghold where several comrades were wounded or killed.

“Do I think the Victoria Cross ought to reasonably have been awarded to somebody? Absolutely. This is now starting to see the light of day,” he said.

The Legislative Building’s Wall of Honour features shadowboxes highlighting Saskatchewan recipients of the Victoria Cross.

“The amount of VC recipients on this wall compared to how many have been issued in Canada speaks volumes to Saskatchewan and what we have done for this nation,” said James Sinclair, a retired Canadian Armed Forces captain. “Once again, Saskatchewan is leading the way by pushing this forward.”

The province has written to federal Defence Minister David J. McGuinty about the future of the medal. Tim McLeod, Saskatchewan’s justice minister and attorney general, has also signed the letter.