Lee Berthiaume, The Canadian Press Published Monday, July 25, 2022 7:31 PM EDT Last Updated Monday, July 25, 2022 7:31 PM EDT
OTTAWA – The federal government is facing fresh calls to increase security at the National War Memorial after footage emerged showing someone holding flags at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Images and videos of the event, streamed live online Sunday night and since then circulated on social media, showed someone bowing his head at the grave, which was draped in American and Canadian flags.
The grave contains the remains of an unidentified Canadian soldier killed at Vimy Ridge during the First World War, and is meant to symbolize the sacrifices of all Canadians who served the country during times of war.
While it was not immediately clear what message the person who placed the flags on the grave was trying to convey, Defense Minister Anita Anand was among those who accused them of desecrating the monument.
“The right to protest is something that those honored at the grave sacrificed their lives for,” Anand wrote on Twitter on Monday. “However, the desecration of this monument is unacceptable and shameful.”
Veterans Affairs Minister Lawrence MacAulay also chastised those involved, tweeting that it was “disappointing to see continued disrespectful and dishonorable behavior at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
“This sacred place deserves our utmost respect, honor and integrity.”
Neither minister mentioned the increased security at the site, which has become a magnet in recent months for those protesting the COVID-19 restrictions and the Liberal government.
This is despite repeated calls for such measures since the “Freedom Convoy” began last winter, when a video emerged of a woman standing on the grave during the first days of the protest. The woman was later questioned by Ottawa police but was not charged.
Officials erected fences around the grave and monument after that incident, but they were later torn down by protesters, many of whom identified themselves as veterans and claimed they were reclaiming the site.
The memorial was most recently the scene of a large demonstration involving James Topp, an Army reservist tasked with speaking out against vaccine requirements while in uniform before leading a four-month march from Vancouver to the place
Royal Canadian Legion spokeswoman Nujma Bond said Sunday’s incident highlights the need for more security at the National War Memorial and gravesite, which the Legion first called for during the “Freedom Caravan.”
“Unfortunately it seems to be happening more regularly,” Bond said.
Youri Cormier, executive director of the Defense Partnerships Conference Institute, a think tank on defense issues, echoed Bond’s assessment of the growing focus on the grave for political messages.
“The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is not a place for slogans and civil disobedience, it is a place for prayer, gratitude and introspection,” he said.
“Putting an American flag on the Canadian cenotaph was a deeply insulting thing for a tourist to do. It showed a huge lack of judgment. … We have seen a lot of disrespect for the cenotaph emanating from the ‘Freedom Convoy’ and their supporters “.
Cormier added that this incident would not have been tolerated at America’s Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which is guarded around the clock by active duty military at Arlington National Cemetery.
Security for the Canadian monument and grave is provided by the Ottawa Police Service, with Canadian soldiers on hand as part of the annual sentinel program that is only ceremonial in nature.
The Department of National Defense referred questions about Sunday’s incident to Ottawa police, who did not respond to requests for comment Monday.
Public Services and Procurement Canada said it is reviewing its own video of the incident and will not launch a formal investigation, but will “work closely with law enforcement, as necessary.”
Asked about the implementation of increased security, PSPC spokeswoman Stefanie Hamel said the monument and grave “are monitored 24/7.” At this time, we cannot comment on future plans for increased security at the monuments.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published on July 25, 2022.