Today, 5 May 2020, we mark the 75th Anniversary of the Liberation of the Netherlands.  Canada’s part in liberating the Netherlands played a key role in the culmination of the Second World War as the Allied forces closed in on Germany from all sides. As many as 175,000 Canadians took part in the campaign that began in September 1944 and ended on 5 May 1945. This enormous effort to free the Dutch from Nazi German occupation came at a heavy cost with the loss of over 7,600 Canadian soldiers, sailors and airmen.  Many are buried in cemeteries across the Netherlands with over 2,300 being buried in Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery near Nijmegen.

Today, Canada and the Netherlands continue to share a special bond of friendship as a result of the role played by Canadians in the Liberation of the Netherlands. The people of the Netherlands have never forgotten the sacrifice that Canadians made to give them their freedom 75 years ago. Canadians are deeply touched that on Christmas Eve Dutch school children place flowers and candles on the graves of the Canadian fallen.  Canadians are also pleased and honoured to receive a gift of thousands of tulips from the Netherlands each year in thanks for the Canadian sacrifice and for providing a safe refuge to the Dutch Royal Family during the Second World War. This symbol of international friendship is at the centre of the 75th Anniversary of the Liberation of the Netherlands.

To view a video message from The Honourable Arthur J. LeBlanc, Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia, please go to:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDbeS8QmwcE

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