John Horgan, Leader of B.C.’s New Democrats, issued the following statement on Vimy Ridge Day:

“It is humbling to reflect on the tremendous courage and profound sacrifice of the Canadian soldiers who stormed Vimy Ridge almost a century ago today.

“More than 3,500 Canadians were killed in the fighting and twice as many were seriously wounded. But their comrades liberated the heavily fortified ridge and it remained in Allied hands throughout the rest of the war.

“Beyond their military success, those young Canadians, fighting together for the first time, helped forge the identity of their young nation.

“Then, as now, Canadians proved themselves brave, skilled, and resolute soldiers in the cause of freedom.”