Ministers of National Defence and Veterans Affairs commemorate tenth anniversary of Canadian Armed Forces members killed while on duty in Ottawa, Ontario, and Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec 

October 22, 2024 – Ottawa, ON – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces

The Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence, and the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, issued the following statement:

“Today marks the tenth anniversary of the act of violence that claimed the life of Corporal Nathan Cirillo at the National War Memorial in downtown Ottawa. The site of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was established to honour the Fallen, yet none of us could have imagined that it would be a place where one of Canada’s service members would make the ultimate sacrifice while on duty.

We also pause to remember Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent, whose life was tragically cut short while on duty two days earlier in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec. He had served in the military for 28 years and was passionate about helping ill and injured Veterans.

These tragic events remind us of the bravery, risk and sacrifice that service to Canada represents. Every day, Veterans and their families exemplify service before self. While these attacks left lasting scars on a place so sacred to our democracy, it did not deter us from remaining true to Canada’s values of peace, order, and good government.

Please take a few moments today to remember both WO Vincent and Cpl Cirillo, the loved ones they left behind, and the military community forever changed by their passing. 

Lest we forget.”