Ottawa -- The Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Minister of State (Agriculture), issued the following statement today regarding the 66th anniversary of the liberation of Belgium by Allied Forces.

"Last August, I had the privilege of travelling to Belgium where I was able to witness the profound gratitude that this nation holds for Canada. Here at home, few people know that every evening, in Ypres, there is a ceremony to commemorate the sacrifices of Commonwealth soldiers, including Canadians. This daily ceremony, in which I was honoured to participate, has been taking place since 1928, right after the First World War, when Canada also contributed to the liberation of Belgium."

Quite a few years later, Canadian forces played a key role in the battle to defeat the German army after four long years of ruthless occupation in Belgium. Liberty was restored to the people of Belgium on September 4, 1944. By marking this 66th anniversary, we remember the sacrifices and celebrate the achievements of the Canadians who brought freedom to the people of Belgium.

The situation in Belgium was dire. Canadian forces fought through mud-flooded lands against a powerful, battle-hardened enemy. It was a concerted effort; Canadians on land, air and sea played a part in liberating the Belgians. The 2nd and 3rd Canadian Infantry divisions and the 4th Canadian Armoured division moved through Belgium, supported by the operations of the Royal Canadian Air Force and the Royal Canadian Navy. More than 800 Canadians made the ultimate sacrifice in Belgium.

The cohesive Canadian military we know today is said to have formed roots during the liberation of Belgium.

Our Veterans represent the very best of Canada. Many of the freedoms we, as Canadians, enjoy can be largely attributed to them. We are forever indebted to our Veterans and it is our duty to remember."

For more information on the liberation of Belgium, visit the Veterans Affairs Canada Web site.

Jonquière, QC -- The Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Minister of State (Agriculture), would like to remind Canadians who may be eligible to receive Agent Orange ex gratia payments that they must submit their applications before September 17, 2010.

In September 2007, the Government of Canada offered a one-time, tax-free, ex gratia payment of '20,000 related to the testing of unregistered U.S. military herbicides, including Agent Orange, at Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Gagetown in New Brunswick during the summers of 1966 and 1967. The deadline for applications was April 1, 2009. An 18-month period beyond this application deadline was provided where circumstances beyond the control of the applicant resulted in missing the deadline.

To allow time for processing late applications within the legal time limits, Veterans Affairs Canada encourages individuals to submit their complete applications before September 17, 2010. Applications must include all necessary supporting information in order to meet the October 1, 2010 payment deadline.

Applications continue to be considered on a case-by-case basis, therefore we are asking all individuals to fill out their application as soon as possible, before September 17.

As of July 31, 2010, more than 2,800 applicants have received the tax-free, ex gratia payment, for a total of '57.6 million paid out to Canadians.

For more information, visit the Veterans Affairs Canada Web site or call 1-866-522-2122.

Backgrounder -- Agent Orange Ex Gratia Payment

Toronto - The Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Minister of State (Agriculture), was joined today by Canadian Football League (CFL) Commissioner Mark Cohon and members of the Gaudaur family to announce the new Jake Gaudaur Veterans' Trophy. This award will be given out each year to a CFL player who demonstrates the attributes shared by Canada's Veterans.

This new national award was unveiled by Veterans Affairs Canada and the CFL at a commemorative ceremony involving Veterans, members of the Canadian Forces and youth at the Moss Park Armoury.

"The Jake Gaudaur Veterans' Trophy is a great example of the legacies that can be created when we work with others to engage more Canadians in remembrance," said Minister Blackburn. "Being a Veteran himself, and long-time CFL Commissioner, Mr. Gaudaur was known for many of the same attributes Canada's Veterans are still known for today: strength, perseverance, comradeship, courage and contribution to community."

The trophy will be awarded for the first time in November by the CFL and Veterans Affairs Canada.

"The goal of the Jake Gaudaur Veterans Award is to honour the sacrifices made by Canadian Veterans in a respectful and significant way," said Mark Cohon, Commissioner of the CFL. "We want to shine a spotlight on the contributions of the men and women who have given us their youth, their spirit, their talents, and, too often, their lives."

Jake Gaudaur was a Canadian hero. His story embodies the historical link between the CFL and Veterans. Like Gaudaur, there is a long list of former and current CFL players who defended both Canada and the Grey Cup.

The Trophy is part of the Canadian Football League 2010 Veterans' Tribute which is supported by Veterans Affairs Canada through the Community Engagement Partnership Fund. The Tribute includes national broadcasts and in-stadium activities commemorating the achievements and sacrifices of Canadian Veterans during times of war, military conflict and peace.

A regular season CFL game featuring the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Toronto Argonauts will take place after the ceremony that evening at the Rogers Centre. Highlights of the ceremony will be broadcasted at the game.

To learn more about the Community Engagement Partnership Fund, call 1-877-604-8489 or visit www.vac-acc.gc.ca. To learn more about the CFL tribute to Veterans visit www.vac-acc.gc.ca or www.CFL.ca.

Ottawa - The Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Minister of State (Agriculture), issued the following statement to mark the 68th anniversary of the Dieppe Raid taking place on August 19.

"The men and women who took part in the Dieppe Raid are our heroes and we should always remember them as such.

I recently had the opportunity to visit Dieppe and reflect on this almost impossible mission. The bravery and sacrifice as the troops faced the enemy and continued to advance were extraordinary. They showed the strong, determined spirit of our nation.

On August 19, 1942, nearly 5,000 Canadians participated in a raid along the French coast, known as Operation Jubilee. This was Canada's bloodiest day during the Second World War--a day on which we suffered more than 3,300 casualties, including 913 Canadians who paid with their lives, and 1,946 others whose suffering continued as prisoners of war.

In spite of the many losses they faced, the Allied troops' efforts were not in vain. The Dieppe Raid served as an integral information finding mission that helped prepare for the D-Day landing in 1944. It also re-established faith among the Allied troops, and reassured the French that they had our support.

Canada remembers its heroes. Please join me as we pay tribute and reflect on the 68^th anniversary of the Dieppe Raid."

More information on the Dieppe Raid events can be found on the Veterans Affairs Canada Web site at www.vac-acc.gc.ca.

Ottawa B The Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Minister of State (Agriculture), today announced a new appointment to the Veterans Review and Appeal Board (VRAB).

Dorothy O'Keefe of St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, has been appointed to the Board for a five-year term, effective August 23, 2010.

This appointment was made in accordance with VRAB's merit-based appointment process.

"I am very pleased that Ms. O'Keefe has agreed to contribute her varied skills and experience to the important work of the Board," said Minister Blackburn. "She is now a Member of a competent, specialized and independent body of adjudicators dedicated to providing applicants with fair and timely appeals of their disability decisions."

Ms. O'Keefe is a former Chairperson of the Board of Referees, the body responsible for hearing appeals of decisions made by the Canada Employment Insurance Commission. She has also worked as an advisor to elected officials at both the provincial and federal levels.

The Veterans Review and Appeal Board handles the reviews and appeals of disability pension and award decisions for Veterans, Canadian Forces personnel, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and certain civilians and/or their dependants. It also deals with the final appeal on War Veterans Allowance decisions made by Veterans Affairs Canada.

Created in 1995, VRAB is an independent, quasi-judicial tribunal that reports directly to Parliament through the Minister of Veterans Affairs. There are now 26 full-time members on the Board.

For more information, including a backgrounder on the appointment process for new members, visit the Board's Web site at www.vrab-tacra.gc.ca (Opens in a new window).