MP Gallant Seeks New Markets for Valley Business

July 18, 2008

Seoul, Korea - Cheryl Gallant, MP, Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke, took the opportunity as a Member of the Canadian Delegation honouring Canadian Korea Veterans for the role they played in furthering the cause of world democracy, to seek out new markets for Renfrew County agricultural producers and local employer AECL.

“The official purpose of the Canadian Government Delegation to the Republic of Korea, that also included both local Canadian Veterans and serving soldiers, was to commemorate the 55th anniversary of the armistice of the Korean War. As a Member of the Government Delegation, this gave me the opportunity to present the case on behalf of our local farmers that Canadian beef is of superior quality and among the safest in the world,” stated MP Cheryl Gallant.

“In addition to being able to present the case on behalf of farmers, on behalf of the over 2700 individuals currently employed at the Chalk River Laboratories of AECL, I thanked the Korean government for the confidence they placed in Canadian Nuclear technology. I hope that the Ontario Provincial government shows the same appreciation for Canadian ingenuity when they decide who will build the next Ontario nuclear power plant,” remarked Cheryl Gallant, MP.

Ceremony of Remembrance at the United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Korea
The United Nations Memorial Cemetery, Korea was first established by the United Nations Command in January 1951. At that time, the remains of Allied servicemen buried in cemeteries in various places in Korea were exhumed and taken to Tanggok, near Busan for burial. After the war, in December 1955, the United Nations passed a resolution to establish a United Nations Cemetery on land to be granted by the Republic of Korea. The land was ceded to the UN in perpetuity with full and complete title. The resolution was ratified by Korea and the UN in 1959.

There are 378 Canadians buried in Busan and 16 buried elsewhere in unknown graves. Additionally, Canada lost five naval personnel at sea. Other Army and Royal Canadian Navy personnel who died on Korean service are buried in the Commonwealth Cemetery in Yokahama. The graves in both Busan and Yokahama include those of Canadians who lost their lives following the signing of the Armistice Agreement in 1953.