Latest news with #PaulineRochefort
CTV News
7 days ago
- Politics
- CTV News
Petition revives campaign to award Victoria Cross to Afghan war veterans
A Canadian soldier surveys the landscape during a dawn patrol in the Dand district near Kandahar, Afghanistan on Monday, June 8, 2009. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Colin Perkel OTTAWA — A petition sponsored by a Liberal MP is reviving calls for a fresh look at whether veterans of the Afghanistan conflict should be reconsidered for Canada's top military honour. Liberal MP Pauline Rochefort is sponsoring the new petition in Parliament. It calls for the creation of an 'Independent Military Honours Review Board to review Afghanistan veterans' cases' to determine whether any of them meet the bar for the Victoria Cross. The federal government says the Victoria Cross is reserved for soldiers who demonstrate 'the most conspicuous bravery, a daring or pre-eminent act of valour or self-sacrifice, or extreme devotion to duty, in the presence of the enemy' It has never been awarded to any Canadian for service in any conflict since the end of the Second World War. Rochefort is MP for Nipissing—Timiskaming, which was home to the late Jess Larochelle, an army private whose actions under fire in Pashmul, Afghanistan in 2006 have inspired a movement to award him a posthumous Victoria Cross. She said many of the Afghanistan veterans she meets at Legion events feel that their contributions during the conflict have not been fully recognized or appreciated, and 'there's a reason they're not backing down.' Rochefort said it seems like the right time to make this renewed push, as the federal government moves to reinvest in the military and boost recruitment. 'HR gurus will tell us the first thing you must do is appreciate your personnel because if you don't, they're not going to stay. So if we want to attract young people to our military and qualified personnel, the first thing we must do is to show appreciation,' she told The Canadian Press. 'When you have a significant component of the people that have been there, who have fought there, 40,000 of them, and they're saying, 'We're not sufficiently recognized,' I think that that's something to be paid attention to.' Retired corporal Bruce Moncur, who started the petition, is part of a group called Valor in the Presence of the Enemy. He said his group has identified roughly three dozen soldiers it believes could stand for the medal. He said Larochelle's story stands out as a shining example due to the courage it took to hold off a Taliban attack on an observation post while badly wounded. 'I like to think that there's four parts to it — you changed the course of the battle, you saved lives, you're killed or wounded, and you did an incredible act of bravery. In my books, Jess clicks all those boxes,' Moncur said. 'What Jess did that day was nothing short of superhero.' Retired lieutenant-general Omer Lavoie, who led the counterattack that day and wrote a citation for Larochelle, remembers well what happened when the platoon came under fire. 'Two soldiers were killed almost immediately based on explosions from the rocket-propelled grenades,' he said. Larochelle was struck with shrapnel in the back and neck as he defended the strategic position. He remained in his position with a broken back, firing handheld rocket launchers and a machine-gun at the attacking insurgents. 'There's no doubt in my mind, having seen it first hand, that his immediate actions, fighting while being wounded, certainly cracked the momentum of that Taliban attack and bought us time to counterattack,' Lavoie said. 'Incredibly, he did this while being pretty seriously wounded.' Larochelle was awarded the Canadian military's second-highest honour, the Star of Military Valour, in 2007. He died in 2023 at age 40. Moncur pushed in 2021 for a review of Larochelle's actions. He said he wants to press the case for a wider review under Prime Minister Mark Carney's government. He said Ottawa should consider new evidence indicating that Larochelle had volunteered for the assignment. 'They knew an attack was coming and he put his hand forward and volunteered to man that observation post instead of being ordered to man it,' he said. 'So, that is just a perfect recipe for a Victoria Cross and I don't think anybody could convince me otherwise.' A motion by former Conservative leader Erin O'Toole in 2022 sought to press the government to launch a military honours review panel. It failed in the House of Commons when Liberals opposed it. 'The continued inaction on this issue by the Liberal government speaks for itself and veterans are fed up,' Conservative veterans affairs critic Blake Richards told The Canadian Press in an emailed statement. 'Conservatives will continue to advance the case for Jess Larochelle to be awarded the Victoria Cross and will always stand with Canada's veterans to ensure that our heroes and their sacrifice for our country are not forgotten.' The Department of National Defence did not respond to a request for comment by deadline. Ottawa has said that the system for awarding national honours is designed to be insulated from political influence and public pressure campaigns. 'To ensure fairness and that honours were awarded according to the appropriate criteria, National Defence conducted an in-depth review in 2012 of all of the 20 Stars of Military Valour that were awarded in relation to the Afghanistan campaign,' said a government response to a previous petition effort on Aug. 17, 2022. 'The review committee found that the process was fair and consistent, that none should have received a different decoration, and that all awards respected the intent and criteria for the Star of Military Valour.' Moncur said that response felt like a 'punch to the stomach.' He said the statement — released 'in the middle of the summer' when it would get little attention — 'didn't actually mention Jess by name.' This time around, though, he has found a champion on the government bench. 'Why as a country have we not been awarding Victoria Cross medals? That's the highest order. If we're not going to do it, take it away,' Rochefort said. 'I don't want to minimize what this award represents, but it's there for a reason. It's important and therefore it should be awarded in times when it's necessary.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 12, 2025. Kyle Duggan, The Canadian Press
Toronto Star
7 days ago
- Politics
- Toronto Star
Petition revives campaign to award Victoria Cross to Afghan war veterans
OTTAWA - A petition sponsored by a Liberal MP is reviving calls for a fresh look at whether veterans of the Afghanistan conflict should be reconsidered for Canada's top military honour. Liberal MP Pauline Rochefort is sponsoring the new petition in Parliament. It calls for the creation of an 'Independent Military Honours Review Board to review Afghanistan veterans' cases' to determine whether any of them meet the bar for the Victoria Cross.
CTV News
06-08-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Governments combine on $20.6M fund for North Bay transit upgrades
The funds were announced Wednesday by Nipissing-Timiskaming MP Pauline Rochefort, left, North Bay Mayor Peter Chirico and Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli. North Bay, the province and the federal governments are each contributing to a combined fund of more than $20.6 million to pay for hybrid buses and municipal transit improvements. The funds were announced Wednesday by Nipissing-Timiskaming MP Pauline Rochefort, Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli and Mayor Peter Chirico. The goal is to make North Bay transit safer and easier while cutting down on carbon emissions. North Bay transit cash The funds were announced Wednesday by Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli, left, North Bay Mayor Peter Chirico and Nipissing-Timiskaming MP Pauline Rochefort. (Photos courtesy of Vic Fedeli's office) 'The investment will replace eight conventional buses with hybrid buses in the North Bay Transit fleet and support new sidewalks and stormwater system upgrades,' the federal government said in a news release. The city will also use the funding to upgrade the transit terminal and its fare collection system. 'Transit is key to connecting and creating communities while also building them stronger,' Rochefort said in the release. Reduce emissions, improve safety 'This new transit funding will make it safer and easier for people in our community to get where they need to go while reducing emissions.' Fedeli is quoted as saying that the province is spending almost $70 billion to fund 'the largest transit expansion in Canadian history.' 'Today's investment will help upgrade and expand transit infrastructure in North Bay, connecting more people in our community to housing and jobs, supporting local businesses and growing North Bay's economy while we work to protect Ontario against economic uncertainty and unjust U.S. tariffs,' Fedeli said. Chirico said the money will help make the city's transit system more sustainable and modern. 'From hybrid buses to upgraded infrastructure, these projects will make transit safer, more accessible, and more convenient for everyone,' he said. 'We're grateful for the continued support through the ICIP program over the years, which has been instrumental in helping us strengthen our city's transit network.' In dollar terms, the feds are providing $8,362,099, the province $6,896,755 and North Bay $5,433,480.
Cision Canada
06-08-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
Canada and Ontario invest in public transit infrastructure for North Bay residents Français
NORTH BAY, ON, Aug. 6, 2025 /CNW/ - North Bay is gearing up for more sustainable and convenient transit thanks to a combined investment of over $20.6 million from the federal and provincial governments and the City of North Bay. Announced today by MP Pauline Rochefort, MPP Vic Fedeli, and Mayor Peter Chirico, this funding will make transit safer and easier while cutting down on carbon emissions. The investment will replace eight conventional buses with hybrid buses in the North Bay Transit fleet and support new sidewalks and stormwater system upgrades. The city will also use these funds to upgrade a transit terminal and the fare collection system. Investments in public transit help Canadians get where they need to be, create new manufacturing and construction jobs, reduce pollution, and make life more affordable. Quotes "Transit is key to connecting and creating communities while also building them stronger. This new transit funding will make it safer and easier for people in our community to get where they need to go while reducing emissions." Pauline Rochefort, Member of Parliament for Nipissing—Timiskaming "Under the leadership of Premier Ford, our government is investing nearly $70 billion to deliver the largest transit expansion in Canadian history. Today's investment will help upgrade and expand transit infrastructure in North Bay, connecting more people in our community to housing and jobs, supporting local businesses and growing North Bay's economy while we work to protect Ontario against economic uncertainty and unjust U.S. tariffs." Vic Fedeli, Member of Provincial Parliament for Nipissing "This investment will help us support and improve a more sustainable, modern transit system in North Bay. From hybrid buses to upgraded infrastructure, these projects will make transit safer, more accessible, and more convenient for everyone. We're grateful for the continued support through the ICIP program over the years, which has been instrumental in helping us strengthen our city's transit network." Quick Facts Through the Public Transit Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program, the Government of Canada is investing $8,362,099, the Government of Ontario is investing $6,896,755 and the City of North Bay is contributing $5,433,480. Investments in public transit help Canadians get where they need to be, create new manufacturing and construction jobs, reduce pollution, and make life more affordable. In 2021, the government announced significant public transit funding that includes billions in support for zero emission buses, rural transit solutions, active transportation, and support for major projects to accelerate the expansion of large urban transit systems that many Canadians depend on every day. The new Canada Public Transit Fund (CPTF) will provide an average of $3 billion a year of permanent funding to respond to local transit needs by enhancing integrated planning, improving access to public transit and active transportation, and supporting the development of more affordable, sustainable, and inclusive communities. The CPTF supports transit and active transportation investments in three streams: Metro Region Agreements, Baseline Funding, and Targeted Funding. Visit the Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada website for more information. The Ontario government is investing nearly $70 billion over the next decade to build public transit. Ontario is also providing the City of North Bay with $784,736 in funding through the province's 2024-25 Gas Tax program. The Gas Tax program provides Ontario municipalities with a stable source of dedicated funding that can be used to increase public transit service, purchase new vehicles and improve accessibility to increase transit ridership. Public Transit Infrastructure Stream Housing and Infrastructure Project Map Strengthened Climate Plan 2024-25 Gas Tax Funding by Municipality Follow us on X, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn Web: Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada SOURCE Department of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Contacts: For more information (media only), please contact: Renée LeBlanc Proctor, Senior Communications Advisor and Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities, [email protected]; Media Relations, Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada, 613-960-9251, Toll free: 1-877-250-7154, Email: [email protected]; Dakota Brasier, Ontario Minister of Transportation's Office, [email protected]; Gord Young, Communication Officer, City of North Bay, 705-474-0400, ext. 2505, [email protected]
Cision Canada
06-08-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
/R E P E A T -- Media Advisory: Infrastructure Announcement in North Bay/ Français
NORTH BAY, ON, Aug. 5, 2025 /CNW/ - Members of the media are invited to an infrastructure announcement with Pauline Rochefort, Member of Parliament for Nipissing—Timiskaming, Vic Fedeli, Member of Provincial Parliament for Nipissing, and Peter Chirico, Mayor of North Bay. Follow us on X, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn Web: Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada SOURCE Department of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Contacts: For more information (media only), please contact: Renée LeBlanc Proctor, Senior Communications Advisor and Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities, [email protected]; Media Relations, Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada, 613-960-9251, Toll free: 1-877-250-7154, Email: [email protected]; Dakota Brasier, Ontario Minister of Transportation's Office, [email protected]; Gord Young, Communication Officer, City of North Bay, 705-474-0400, ext. 2505, [email protected]
