Politicians, members of the Royal Canadian Legion, and people who just want action came together at the LAV III memorial in Airdrie yesterday (April 6) to launch a petition calling for stiffer penalties for anyone who defaces a war memorial in Canada.  

Banff-Airdrie MP was joined by Airdrie MLA Angela Pitt and Mayor Peter Brown for a media conference in front of the iconic memorial.  They were joined by Legion President Bob McNevin, former President Bill Drummond and other Legion members who expressed their disgust with the graffiti incident that happened on March 22nd when the LAV was defaced.  The memorial is in honour of 40,000 Canadians who served in Afghanistan and the 162 who died in the conflict.

The Airdrie Legion has started an e-petition to the House of Commons which is being sponsored by MP Richards.  People are calling on the House to "increase the penalties in the Criminal Code of Canada for defacing war memorials."

Richards says, "When I read the Criminal Code penalties for this I said "wow, that's woefully inadequate.'  I approached the Legion and said 'we'd like to launch a petition and we'd like to see if this is something you'd be interested in.'  I knew the answer would be yes, of course, so immediately they were all over the idea of launching this petition."

Former President Drummond said at the time that he was "near tears" over the incident.  Drummond feels the people who deface the LAV should pay for their insensitivity.   "I don't understand the mentality of these people but obviously I feel they should be brought to task for what they've done."

Richards explains the petition will be circulated in several ways before it's presented in Ottawa.  "Angela Pitt's agreed to take it around when she campaigns.  Many people in the community and other communities in my constituency have agreed to circulate it to get signatures.  I will present it in parliament on behalf of our community and push for action to see some changes to the Criminal Code in this regard."

The petition is also slated to be circulated through social media and businesses. The petition is open to signatures until May 2nd, 2019 and can be found at: https://petitions.ourcommons.ca/en/Petition/Details?Petition=e-2131

Comments? Questions? Story ideas? Email us at news@discoverairdrie.com