Year of the War Bride 2006 - 6oth anniversary of the arrival of War Brides in Canada 1946-2006

1. New Brunswick is the first province to officially recognize 2006 as the Year of the War Bride

January 20, 2006 - The St. Croix Courier newspaper will feature a series of articles on Charlotte County War Brides in honour of Year of the War Bride 2006.

January 19, 2006 - The New Brunswick Advisory Council on the Status of Women will host 4-6 "Lunch and Learns" around New Brunswick on the subject of New Brunswick's War Brides. Dates and time to be confirmed.

December 17, 2005 - Fredericton Mayor Brad Woodside promises to hold a War Brides Tea in Fredericton City Council Chambers in 2006. Date and time to be confirmed.

December 16, 2005 - Read the Telegraph Journal article about the passage of TJ Burke's resolution Year of the War Bride 2006! More coverage in the Moncton Times and elswhere!

December 15, 2005 - Year of the War Bride 2006 declared in NB when MLA TJ Burke gets all party support for his motion which passes with the full support of NB Legislature. Congratulations to TJ and everyone else involved for a job well done!

December 10, 2005 - Click here to read the article in the Telegraph Journal [PDF].

December 9, 2005 - NB MLA TJ Burke introduces Notice of Motion in the NB Legislature. Click here to read the Press Release December 9 2005.

November 22, 2005 - Click here to read article in the Bathurst, NB Northern Light

November 11, 2005 - NB MLA TJ Burke announces he will be the first in Canada to introduce a private Members Bill officially recognizing 2006 as the Year of the War Bride. Click here to read article in the New Brunswick Telegraph Journal November 11, 2005. (This story was also covered by CBC Radio and Global Television on November 11, 2005.)

Numerous war brides and or war bride children have contacted their MLAs asking them to follow NB MLA TJ Burke's example by bringing forth a Private Member's Bill in the Ontario Legislature.

January 11, 2006 - MPP Jim Brownell (Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry) confirms in an email to Bea Surgeson that he will introduce a motion in the Ontario Legislature:

"I am here in my Toronto office, and I had the opportunity to bring my staff up-to-date on the quest to have 2006 declared the "Year of the War Brides", by the Ontario Government. As I told you, I am a big supporter of this idea, and my staff is presently seeking out opportunities to make this happen. It was interesting to note from the website that some of my colleagues are doing the same thing, -namely Donna Cansfield, for example. Donna was my seatmate before the summer recess, and now she is the Minister of Energy.

As I mentioned to you in the meeting we had last year, I would like to see the following happen:

1) Have the year declared as the "Year of the War Brides" -1946-2006
2) Have a provincial plaque erected in the province to recognize this important historical event, -wouldn't Cornwall be a great site!
3) I will definitely prepare a statement for delivery in the Ontario Legislature on this topic. I'll let you know when this will happen, so that you may watch it on television."

December 20, 2005 - Linda Granfield (author of Brass Buttons and Silver Horseshoes) writes to say that her MPP Honourable Donna Cansfield, Minister of Energy, had confirmed that she has spoken to the Honourable Madeleine Meilleur, Minister of Culture, about declaring 2006 Year of the War Bride in Ontario. Contact the Minister of Energy at dcansfield.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org or contact the Minister of Culture at mmeilleur.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org

December 15, 2005 - Larry Button of Dundas, Ontario, writes to his MLA Mr. McMeekin, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Government Services, to ask him to introduce a motion declaring 2006 Year of the War Bride in Ontario. (See story about Larry's mother Margaret Button at right). Contact Mr. McMeekin at tmcmeekin.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org

Among the 40,000 + warbrides who came to Canada in 1946 is my mother, Mrs. Margaret Button of ...Dundas. My mum served 3 years in the WAAF and married my father an RCAF pilot in Scotland in 1945. She's lived in the same house in Dundas for 50 plus years where she raised 7 children. She now has 23 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren most of whom live in this area. Given the great contribution made by these women over the past half century - a pivotal time in Ontario's and Canada's development - I believe declaring 2006 "The Year of the War Bride" is the least that can be done.

December 13, 2005 - Bea Surgeson of Cornwall gets the assurance of her Member of Parliament, Guy Lauzon, (Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry) who says he'll introduce a Private Members Bill if he gets re-elected. Contact Mr. Lauzon at Lauzon.G@parl.gc.ca

December 3, 2005 - Editorial in the Standard Freeholder, Cornwall Ontario. Click here to read Word document.

November 28,2005 - Linda Granfield, author of Brass Buttons and Silver Horseshoes, writes to her MP Mr. Boris Wrzesnewskyj, and MPP Hon. Donna Cansfield, Minister of Energy, asking them to support the Year of the War Bride 2006. Contact Donna Cansfield at dcansfield.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org and Contact Boris Wrzesnewskyjat Wrzesnewskyj.B@parl.gc.ca .

November 26, 2005 - Two articles in the Standard Freeholder about Bea Surgeson's attempts to have Year of the War Bride declared in Ontario. One front page article "Woman Wants War Bride Recognized" and a second on page 5 "War Brides Contributed to Our Society". Click for picture of Bea Surgeson that appeared in the article.

November 24, 2005 - Patrick Boake, whose father worked at the Canadian Wives Bureau in the Hague and London, England, has contacted his MPP Marilyn Churley, Toronto, Danforth and his MP Jack Layton. Note: Marily Churley has stepped down from the provincial government and is now running for MP for Beaches-East York. Contact Marilyn Churley at marilynchurley@ndp.ca . Contact Jack Layton at jacklayton@ndp.ca

" My respective provincial and federal elected representatives are Marilyn Churley and Jack Layton. I contacted both of them with a proposal that 2006 be made the Year of the War Bride (YotWB). Ms. Churley's office is working on it at the Ontario provincial level and I'm trying to coordinate them with N.B. Liberal MNA T.J. Burke who, at Melynda's behest, has kindly decided to propose the motion in the N.B. Legislature. Mr. Burke has consented to forward a copy of his proposal to all concerned once it is drafted so everybody can be asking for the same thing. "

November 23, 2005 - Interview with Standard Freeholder of Cornwall, Ontario, about Year of the War Bride initiative.

November 16, 2005 - from War Bride Bea Surgeson

"I have written to each of the following persons re the 2006 official recognition of war brides. Mr. Guy Lauzon, M.P. (Stormont, Dundas & South Glengarry)....Mr. Jim Brownell, M.P.P. (Stormont, Dundas--Charlottenburgh"

Nov 11, 2005 - from Nancy Campbell, Study Co-ordinator, Lansdowne Untied Church Women, Lansdowne Ontario

"I will certainly talk with our group at the next meeting to ask
whether they would like to send the letter from the group."

3. British Columbia

January 23, 2006 - The City of Penticton will make a request to the Premier of British Columbia through Honourable Bill Barisoff, Speaker of the House, on behalf of Mrs. Doreen Stephenson, President of the Okanagan Valley War Brides Association, to declare 2006 Year of the War Bride in BC. Speaking of Penticton, Mayor Jake Kimberly, whose sister was a British War Bride, may also host a War Brides tea in the Council Chambers, confirmation pending!

January 17, 2006 - Eswyn Lyster confirms that her MLA Scott Fraser committed to introducing a motion making 2006 Year of the War Bride in Britisgh Columbia when the BC Legislature sits again on February 14.

January 16, 2006 - Joan Reichardt of Nelson, BC confirms she has contacted her MLA and MP and asked them to introduce a Year of the War Bride 2006 motion in the BC Legislature and the House of Commons. She has also spoken to her city council and asked them to support an event in honour of War Brides in her community.

November 24, 2005 - Rumour has it that there is a BC MLA with a war bride mother-in-law who is considering following the example of MLA TJ Burke. Wait for more on this!

November 24, 2005 - War Bride Eswyn Lyster has written to her MLA Scott Fraser, MLA for Alberni/Qualicum asking him to introduce a private members bill
scott.fraser.mla@leg.bc.ca

November 21, 2005 - from Bobbie Laturnus

"We do have a war bride living locally whose daughter is married to one our MLA's - I will talk to her about all off this. "

November 21, 2005 - from War Bride Joan Reichardt

"I have contacted the opposition here in BC and there is definite interest. They are checking to see if we have a warbride descendent (there should be as we have more than 30 members) in the caucus and will take it from there. I was told they are looking at the New Year. Fingers crossed!! Joan ps Has anyone contacted the Sask War Brides? They have good govt. connections. I will check with a friend and see if they are aware"

November 11, 2005 - Lucille Campbell

" I've had a look at that section of your site, have found who the MP is for this area (I just moved here three months ago) and have downloaded your letter to send to him. My partner, lives in Vancouver but I'm sure he will write to his MLA as well. I'm thinking I will let some of my girlfriends in other places in the province know as well. It can only help. "

February 8, 2006 - Manitoba becomes the second province in Canada to declare 2006 Year of the War Bride. MLA Bonnie Korzeniowski makes the announcement in person at Pier 21, during the 60th Anniversary event to mark the arrival of the Mauretania II in Halifax on February 9, 1946. Click here for more...

January 6, 2005 - Confirmation from the NDP Caucus that they are reviewing the request to make 2006 Year of the War Bride and that although the legislature does not reconvene until March, they may be able to do something by the end of January. It was also pointed out that Manitoba has already recognized war brides in a very very significant way with Ms. Korzeniowski's November 22, 2005 resolution http://www.gov.mb.ca/legislature/hansard/4th-38th/vol_17a/h17a.html.

" The Director of Caucus Services, Mr. Jason Woywada, has asked me to reply by saying that although the legislature is unable to take action prior to the event you have planned on February 9th, we would very much like to continue corresponding on this issue. We are examining our options which build upon the positive steps we have already undertaken. Mr. Woywada has indicated that although our legislative session does not begin until March, there may be some action that can be taken prior to that. We expect to have a clearer idea of which course to take by the end of January."

December 15, 2005 - Melynda Jarratt writes to MLA Bonnie Korzeniowski (St. James) asking her to follow TJ Burke's example in New Brunswick and introduce a motion to have 2006 declared "Year of the War Bride." Contact Bonnie Korzeniowski by email.

November 22, 2005 - MLA Bonnie Korzeniowski pays tribute to Canada's War Brides in the Manitoba Legislature. Click here to read more about this.

November 08, 2005 - Rev. Canon Peggy Sheffield, Secretary, Manitoba War Brides Association writes letter endorsing Year of the War Bride 2006. Click here to see letter in jpg format [275 k].

February 2006 - Saskatchewan commits to marking Year of the War Bride with a week of activities from November 5-11, 2006.

January 5, 2005 - Confirmation from Saskatchewan NDP Caucus that they have received a request to declare 2006 Year of the War Bride and that the request is in process.

December 22, 2005 - Letter from Mrs. Terry England, President of the Saskatchewan War Brides Association, endorsing the Year of the War Bride 2006. Click here to read letter in jpg format.

December 19, 2005 - Confirmation from Saskatchewan government that they have received a request from the Saskatchewan War Brides Association to declare 2006 Year of the War Brid.

"[T]here is an established Proclamations Policy within Executive Government and the request received from the Saskatchewan War Brides Association for consideration of this proclamation is being prepared for consideration within that process."

December 9, 2005 - Melynda Jarratt writes to MLA Judy Juron who has already mentioned the War Brides in a speech in the Saskatchewan Legislature on November 10, 2005.

December 6, 2005 - Jim Church of Saskatchewan asks the Premier, Lorne Calvert to endorse the Year of the War Bride initiative.

November 24, 2005 - Contact has been made with Brad Wall, MLA for Swift Current, Saskatchewan, asking him to introduce a Private Members motion. bradw@bradwall.com

November 17, 2005 - Kay Garside, of the Saskatchewan War Brides Association writes to her MP Ralph Goodale asking him to endorse a private members bill recognizing 2006 as The Year of the War Bride. NOTE: Cabinet Ministers cannot introduce Private Members bills / motions, but I bet they can encourage a back bencher to do it!

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February 9, 2006 - A special event will be held at Pier 21 to mark the 60th anniversary of the arrival of the first War Bride ship, the Mauretania II. All are welcome. For further information, go to What's New or contact Melynda@CanadianWarBrides.com

February 7, 2006 - Grade 5 Students at Inglis Street School in Halifax will be treated to a movie "From Romance to Reality: The War Brides" and visit from members of the Nova Scotia War Brides Association followed by a hot lunch at their school. The children will have a chance to draw their own War Brides logo that will be on display at Pier 21 on February 9.

January 17, 2006 - The Nova Scotia War Brides Association and the Halifax & Dartmouth Area War Brides Association make a official request in writing that Premier John Hamm declare 2006 Year of the War Bride in Nova Scotia.

January 9, 2006 - The Nova Scotia government will be approached to declare 2006 Year of the War Bride. It is hoped that the Hamm government will issue the declaration in time to coincide with a Department of Veterans Affairs / Royal Canadian Legion (NB Command) event at Pier 21 to mark the 60th anniversary of the arrival of the Mauretania II as the first dedicated sailing of War Brides under the aegis of the Canadian Wives Bureau.

November 23, 2005 - Contact has been made with the Premier's Office, let's see what "apples we can shake out of the tree."

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February 14, 2006 - Doreen Kamis writes to say that she has made a formal request to the Premier of Alberta, Ralph Klein

January 17, 2006 - Doreen Kamis, President of the Alberta War Brides Association, will be writing to Premier Klein to ask him to support 2006 as Year of the War Bride in Alberta. She will also be following up with the Mayor of Calgary who indicated at the Association reunion in September 2005 that he would support an event in Calgary to honour the Alberta War Brides in 2006.

November 28, 2005 - Eswyn Lyster speaks to Doreen Kamis, President of the Alberta War Brides Association about the Year of the War Bride 2006.

November 24, 2005 - Hazel in Alberta has contacted the Alberta War Brides Association.