Mission

To preserve and promote Canada’s First World War legacy as symbolized with the victory at Vimy Ridge in April 1917, a milestone where Canada came of age and was then recognized on the world stage.

A Brief  Overview

Inspired by the heroic victory of the Canadian Forces at Vimy Ridge, the Vimy Foundation believes that the key to a successful future lies in knowing one’s past, and that the remarkable story of Vimy should be shared with young people from across the country.

A Dominion Institute poll taken at the time of the 90th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge revealed that only 30% of Canadians recognized the unique importance of the event in the nation’s history. This startling statistic suggests that many Canadians do not immediately recognize the significance of this battle, and how its legacy contributed to Canada’s emergence on the world stage.

To meet this challenge, the Vimy Foundation has taken the initiative to share the remarkable story of Vimy with Canada’s youth. The Foundation has established a prestigious scholarship for high school students, a nation-wide competition for young people 15 to 17 years old. The Foundation’s other efforts include the distribution of books on Vimy to school libraries, as well as the organization of insightful presentations highlighting the historical significance of this important victory.

To promote Vimy Day, the Foundation also encourages Canadians to wear a Vimy medal or pin on April 9th each year, and is organizing commemorative events each April. The Foundation is also hard at work developing plans for the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge in 2017.