Government of Canada Honours Lives Lost in the Construction of the Alaska Highway

FORT ST. JOHN, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - May 21, 2008) - The Honourable Jay Hill, Member of Parliament for Prince George-Peace River, today unveiled a monument honouring the 12 soldiers who drowned during the construction of the Alaska Highway, an event of national historic significance. The Government of Canada contributed $18,000 as one of the partners in the construction of the monument.

"This tragic event in the construction of the Alaska Highway must be remembered," said Mr. Hill. "The Government of Canada's contribution for the monument will serve to honour the lives lost as well as the spirit of enduring international cooperation between the communities along the Alaska Highway."

Other funding partners at today's unveiling included the United States' Ambassador to Canada, David Wilkins; Jim Eglinski, Mayor of the City of Fort St. John; and representatives from local businesses.

The men drowned while crossing Charlie Lake with a barge of construction material for the highway, on May 14, 1942. The completion of the 2,200 km road in less than 10 months played a pivotal role in opening up the Northwest and its natural resources.

The Alaska Highway was built following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour in 1941. Eleven thousand American troops and 16,000 civilians from Canada and the United States launched this ambitious project intended to support the airfields of the Northwest Staging Route.

Parks Canada is also assisting the Alaska Highway Community Initiative (AHCI) in its nomination of the Alaska Highway for consideration as a national historic site.

Through the national commemoration program, Canadians are offered on-site and online opportunities to better understand and appreciate Canada's unique history and culture. The program also helps to create learning and tourism opportunities that support regional economic development.

Canada's system of national historic sites now includes 937 national historic sites, 610 national historic persons and 391 national historic events. The majority of national historic sites are owned and operated by private individuals, not-for-profit groups and corporations. Parks Canada protects and presents 157 of these special places on behalf of Canadians.

Also available on the Internet at www.pc.gc.ca under Media room.