OTTAWA – New Democrat Veterans Affairs Critic Peter Stoffer is very disappointed that the government did not prevent the sale of the Robert Shankland Victoria Cross war medal which sits on an auction table and will be sold today.

“This is a sad day in Canada because World War I hero Robert Shankland’s medals are for sale. The proper place for these medals are in a hall of honour, not on an auction table,” said Stoffer.

For years, Stoffer has demanded the government adopt his bill (C-208) that would prohibit the sale of any Canadian military or police medal.  The bill has received support from veterans and their families, armed forces personnel, and veterans’ organizations.

 “The government should have stopped this sale today, and they should move quickly to enact my legislation to protect the sanctity of Canadian war medals,” said Stoffer. “Today we will lose a significant part of our collective history. It is a loss to all Canadians and could have been prevented.”