Ottawa – M.P. Malcolm Allen (Welland) has written the government asking that they fulfill a long time commitment to build a memorial that would commemorate those lost while constructing the Welland Canal.

During the building of the Welland Canal from 1914-1932, 124 men tragically lost their lives while working in difficult and dangerous conditions. When the canal opened in 1932, the Conservative Federal Minister of Canals and Railways of the time committed to building a memorial to remember the sacrifice of those men. Unfortunately to this day, that memorial still does not exist.

“It goes without saying that we owe those responsible for the canal’s construction an immense debt of gratitude and respect,” said Allen, “I have asked this government that they do the right thing and re-commit to building a proper memorial so that those lives lost receive the recognition they deserve.”

Community support for a memorial has been overwhelming with many people calling our office to voice their support.  In order to bring awareness to the need for a permanent memorial my office is putting a call out to the community for photographs, letters, artifacts or historical pieces relating to Canal workers.   We will display any of the artifacts we receive in our constituency office at 60 King St, Unit 102 for the month of June.  In addition we are encouraging the community to sign the Welland Canal Memorial Petition at http://www.change.org/en-CA/petitions/build-a-memorial-for-those-who-died-building-the-welland-canal.

For more information please contact Lisa Bastien, Constituencey Assistant for Malcolm Allen at 905-788-2204.