Sarnia Remembrance Day ceremony at the cenotaph on Wellington St. November 11, 2015 (BlackburnNews.com Photo by Briana Carnegie)Sarnia Remembrance Day ceremony at the cenotaph on Wellington St. November 11, 2015 (BlackburnNews.com Photo by Briana Carnegie)
Sarnia

Wilma 'Overjoyed' As Bill Moves Forward

Sarnia native Wilma McNeill's 27-year battle to have Remembrance Day recognized as a legal holiday has cleared another hurdle.

Nova Scotia Liberal MP Colin Fraser's private members' bill was approved by the Canadian Heritage Committee Tuesday and is now headed back to the House of Commons for third reading.

McNeill is thrilled to be a step closer to properly honouring Canada's veterans.

"I'm just overjoyed that this has happened, and I'm glad that I was able to go to Ottawa last week and meet all the people that were there," says McNeill. "I asked them if they were ready to stand up and honour the veterans, and they did it today."

The bill must be approved by the House of Commons and the Senate.

Even if it passes in Parliament, provinces where November 11 is currently not a statutory holiday - namely Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia and Manitoba - retain the authority to determine how it applies within their own jurisdictions.

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