Government of Canada to own the National Field of Honour

For nearly a century, the last post fund has been looking after the national field of honour. Now, the federal government is preparing to take ownership of the historic cemetery, the final resting place of thousands of veterans and their family members. The change brings mixed feelings. Somewhat sad, you know, when you're part of something like this place That's got well over 22,000 veterans. lying here and their families and the ceremonies that we've had year after year after year and the significance of the cemetery. It is going to be kind of hard to to give up. The organization had been looking for government support as the cost of maintaining the cemetery became harder to sustain. The Last Post Fund has managed the site since 1930. For some, the connection is also personal. My father's buried here. So many of us have an attachment to the cemetery because of links with the military in the past. The federal government is committing $15.9 million Over four years to acquire, restore, and operate the cemetery. Veterans Affairs Minister Jill McKnight says the goal is to ensure families can continue to visit and honor their loved ones. And our relationship with the Last Post Fund will be continuing, but this gives the certainty for the long-term future. The Last Post Fund says it hopes to remain involved in the cemetery's management as the transition moves forward, one that secures the future of those laid to rest.