Canadian Battlefield Memorials Restoration Project

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The Canadian Memorial at Hill 62
The Canadian Memorial at Hill 62
The Newfoundland Memorial at Beaumont Hamel
The Newfoundland Memorial at Beaumont Hamel

Canada's thirteen World War I memorials were erected to honour and remember the achievements and sacrifices of Canadians and Newfoundlanders during the Great War. In May 2001, the Government of Canada announced a major $30-million restoration project to restore and rehabilitate Canada's memorial sites in France and Belgium, in order to maintain and present them in a respectful and dignified manner.

Eight of these memorials stand on notable Canadian battlefields in France and Belgium
Five other memorials mark places of historical significance to the then Dominion of Newfoundland

Collectively, they are symbolic of the Canadians and Newfoundlanders who gave their lives during the First World War, and are physical reminders that their sacrifices and victories must never be forgotten.

The repair work required to rehabilitate these memorial sites, now an average of 75 years old, is beyond the scope of routine maintenance. The program of work is being carried out in collaboration with Public Works and Government Services Canada, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and other specialists, consultants and military historians. The work is separated into four project areas, with the restoration of the Canadian National Vimy Memorial being the main priority.