OTTAWA—The Cold War may be behind us, but Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing MP Carol Hughes believes that not enough has been done to recognize those who defended Canada during this period of heightened tensions between world superpowers.
MP Hughes reintroduced her private member’s bill in the House of Commons on June 5. “The bill would establish and award a Defence of Canada Medal for those who served in the Canadian Forces, the reserves, police organizations, the Emergency Measures Organization and civilian assistance organizations during this period.”
MP Hughes also sees parallels to the Cold War in Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine.
“Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine has been difficult to watch from afar,” said MP Hughes. “As one of Ukraine’s closest allies, Canada has and will continue to support the efforts of those brave individuals defending their homeland.”
“This conflict, in many ways, may conjure memories of Canadians working with our allies in other democratic nations to ward off a common foe, the Soviet Union and Eastern Bloc nations during the Cold War, which lasted from 1946 to the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989.”
MP Hughes is hopeful that she will receive the support of MPs in the House of Commons to pass her private member’s bill, which was inspired by one of her constituents.
“This act represents the vision of an Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing resident, retired Captain Ulrich Krings, and has widespread support across the country, especially from those who worked so hard to keep us safe and prepared during those unsettling times,” added MP Hughes.
