In June, in London, Ont., someone defaces a plaque commemorating Second World War Spitfire pilot Charley Fox who won the Distinguished Flying Cross and was credited with injuring German Field Marshal Erwin Rommel during strafing.  In July, a man urinates on the National War Memorial. In September, for the second year running, graffiti is sprayed on a cenotaph in Montreal’s Girouard Park.

And mere days  before Remembrance Day, vandals strike memorials in Calgary,  Victoria and Toronto.

Three days before Remembrance Day Veterans Affairs Minister Steven Blaney announced the government supports Private Member’s Bill C-217, which would amend Canada’s Criminal Code provisions governing mischief to include vandalism and defacement of monuments honouring those who died as a consequence of war.  “Our cenotaphs and monuments are powerful reminders of the sacrifices that generations of Canadians have made for the peace and freedom we enjoy today,” he said. “Our government is proud to support Bill C-217 which will enforce strict punishments for those who dishonour the memory of our Veterans by defacing war memorials within our communities.”

The bill calls for a minimum sentence of  a $1,000 fine for a first offence; 14 days in prison for a second offence and 30 days imprisonment for third and subsequent offences. The maximum sentence would be up to five years in prison.

Supporters of the bill argue if  respect for war dead isn’t enough to stay the hands of vandals, perhaps criminal records will. Some who oppose it argue the Criminal Code  penalties for mischief are already stiff enough and others argue the courts have had success turning vandals into protectors of memorials through education.

Expect much more debate as the bill makes its way through parliamentary procedure. Its progress can be followed on the Parliament of Canada website.