"Autoroute du Souvenir" inaugurated

"The timing of this symbolic gesture is very important,"

said Quebec Premier Jean Charest at an inaugural speech at the Royal Canadian Legion centre in St. Anne de Bellevue, "given the fact that we are now involved in Afghanistan, and that men and women who are defending under this multi-national force the values of freedom and liberty are doing it in our name."

A common effort between the Government of Quebec, the Ministry of Transport and the Royal Canadian Legion, the project mirrors the Veteran's Memorial Highway in Ontario. Charest unveiled a prototype of the panels that would grace Highway 20 West in the area in question at 11 a.m. during the ceremony. They are identical to other Quebec highway signs, with a green colour and a white contour, except for a giant red poppy on the right of the panel.

"Every motorist will be reminded of the sacrifices of those men and women who gave their lives so that we now live in total freedom," said Annette Arsenault, President of the Quebec Command Royal Canadian Legion.

According to Quebec Transport Minister Julie Boulet, it is the first time that the Quebec highway signs bear any illustrations.

"There is no greater decision in any Parliament in Canada and the world than to commit men and women to a war," Charest said. " It's the gravest of all decisions, so Parliamentarians are the first ones who are responsible for remembering their contribution. It falls on our shoulders to lead in that respect."

"This site is particularly symbolic since the St-Anne Hospital and the veteran cemetery are nearby. This section of the 20 also crosses the Ancient Combattant's boulevard on St. Anne," said Minister Julie Boulet.

Charest also highlighted his government's previous actions for Veterans, such as enacting legislation that allows them to decorate their license plates with small poppy illustrations.