Rededication Ceremony for Restored War Paintings in the Chamber
The paintings featured in this document were originally intended to grace the walls of a dedicated memorial building. However, as fate would have it, something far better happened, and the canvases ultimately found their way to the Senate.
Reconstruction of the magnificent Parliament Building began shortly after the fire of 1916. Its graceful Gothic-revival style was perfectly suited to evoke our British parliamentary heritage and to render homage to the sacrifice of Canadian troops during the Great War of 1914-1918.
Prominently displayed in the Senate, these paintings depict scenes from the First World War and are a constant reminder that generations before us gave the last full measure of devotion in a valiant fight to preserve peace and justice.
On November 3, 1998, these historic works of art were rededicated in the Senate Chamber. The Speaker at that time, the late Honourable Gildas Molgat, said: "Today we gather here to rededicate the war paintings following their restoration. We solemnly recognize, however, that the message of heroic bravery and sacrifice never needed restoration."