The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Felix Collins, Minister of Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Affairs:

Minister Recognizes Battle of the Atlantic

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a significant event in our history – the Battle of the Atlantic.

Each year on the first Sunday in May we commemorate those who were lost in the longest single campaign of World War II.

I had the honour of representing the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and the people of the province at events commemorating the Battle of the Atlantic yesterday in St. John’s. I first attended a service of remembrance at St. Thomas’ Church after which I placed a wreath at the National War Memorial on Water St.

These events were moving ceremonies that served to remember and honour the sacrifices of those brave souls who gave their lives during this epic battle between September 1939 and May 1945.

This battle was courageously fought by men and women of the Royal Canadian Navy, the Merchant Navy, and the Royal Canadian Air Force as they struggled to control the shipping lanes on the North Atlantic Ocean.

Mr. Speaker, their success came at a high price. The Royal Canadian Navy lost 24 warships and suffered approximately 2,000 fatalities, the Merchant Navy lost more than 70 ships and faced more than 1,700 fatalities and over 900 aircrews were lost by the Royal Canadian Air Force.

Newfoundland and Labrador played a significant role in the Battle of the Atlantic with St. John’s serving as one of the most important escort bases to be developed by the Royal Canadian Navy and, with many thousands of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians serving as sailors, aircrew and merchant mariners.

St. John’s harbour also served as a port of refuge with upwards of 6,000 survivors from torpedoed or storm-wrecked ships being cared for in St. John’s during the war.

Newfoundlanders and Labradorians along with other Canadians have a proud military history and the Canadian Forces continue to do us proud serving admirably at home and abroad to this very day.

Mr. Speaker, I ask all members to join me in honouring all the women and men of our armed forces, past and present, for their tremendous contributions in the service of us all.

2013 05 06             1:55 p.m.