‘To honour not only Jess LaRochelle, but all those whose sacrifice has yet to be fully recognized by the country they served, and the country they loved’

Vic Fedeli led the Ontario Government in introducing a motion today calling on the Government of Canada to establish an independent military honours review board to review veterans’ cases where evidence suggests the Victoria Cross criteria were met.

Fedeli was one of a handful of MPPs who spoke out in favour of the motion.

“Each year on Remembrance Day, we rise in this House to reflect on the sacrifices made by those who have served our country,” Fedeli stated in Queen’s Park on Thursday.  

“We pause, we remember, and we honour those who put on the uniform and were prepared to give everything for Canada. For many Canadians, our understanding of war is shaped by stories, documentaries, or movies like Saving Private Ryan. That’s as close as we get. They give us a glimpse into the horrors of war, but they are still only glimpses. But for the men and women who served, war was not a story. It was a reality. One of those Canadians was Private Jess Larochelle.”

Private Larochelle was a badly wounded Afghanistan war hero, surrounded by dead comrades and outnumbered by the enemy, who spearheaded the successful defence of his post during a 2006 Taliban attack,

Fedeli hopes this motion will be a step closer to posthumously getting Larochelle a well-deserved Victoria Cross.

The Victoria Cross is the highest award in the Canadian honours system, awarded for extraordinary valour, self-sacrifice, and extreme devotion to duty.

See related: Local war hero may be closer to a Victoria Cross

The Victoria Cross is the Commonwealth’s highest medal for valour. It was created in 1856 by Queen Victoria to recognize soldiers during the Crimean War, with 99 Canadians being awarded the medal since its creation. In 1993, Canada created its own Victoria Cross medal, which has never been awarded.

“When LaRochelle returned to Canada, he was awarded the Star of Military Valour, the second highest award for military valour in the Canadian system of honours — after the Victoria Cross,” Fedeli stated about Larochelle, who was born in Restoule, just south of North Bay. 

“But for many, including those who served alongside him, that recognition does not fully reflect what happened that day. Private Larochelle never fully recovered from his injuries. He lived with the physical and emotional toll of that battle for the rest of his short life, and he tragically passed away at just 40 years old. His story is one of bravery, but it is also a reminder of the lasting cost of war, a cost that extends far beyond the battlefield.”

Fedeli says since that day, there has been tireless advocacy to have Private Larochelle granted Canada’s highest military honour, the Victoria Cross.

“This includes Capt. Mike Harrison, who is here in the gallery today. Mike is joined by his fellow veterans, Warrant Officer David Losier, Kevin Reed, Capt. David Mack, Capt. Tim Fieck, and Sgt. Josh Ward, who drove down from North Bay to attend the debate on this motion today, which speaks to the significance of this cause. Thank you all for your service to our country. It is advocacy like Mike’s, including a call to the Premier, and their conversation that brought us to this moment, where not only Jess’ story, but the stories of other veterans can be recognized with the appreciation they deserve.

“But with this moment comes an important call to action. By calling on the federal government to establish an independent military honours review board to review cases such as Jess’s, where there is clear evidence that the criteria for Canada’s highest military honour, the Victoria Cross, have been met.”

“We now have governments representing more than HALF of Canadians endorsing our petition,” Capt. Mike Harrison told BayToday. “Legislatures are unanimously supporting this initiative. All parties are united behind the concept that our service men and women deserve recognition for their bravery. With a federal government MP putting forward this petition, and the support across the political spectrum, we are hopeful that the government will do what’s right.”

Afghan vets feel like the country has moved on. But we still remember the heroism of our brothers and sisters and want to make sure their sacrifice for Canada is not forgotten.

While Larochelle may have passed away nearly three years ago, Fedeli says his legacy endures in the courage he showed and the lives he saved. 

“By establishing an independent military honours review board and ensuring that those who meet the threshold are recognized with the Victoria Cross, this House has the opportunity to do what is right,” he said.  

“To honour not only Jess LaRochelle, but all those whose sacrifice has yet to be fully recognized by the country they served, and the country they loved.”

Harrison later described on Facebook how the action came to be realized, saying, “Today was a big day.”

“A few days ago, I texted Premier Ford. Within a few hours, he gave me a call. From that call, we set in motion a drive to recognize the sacrifice of Pte Jess Larochelle SMV and to take another step towards issuing Canada’s Victoria Cross.

The Premier indicated that he would help. Minutes after hanging up, MPP Victor Fedeli was calling me. Vic has supported the drive in the past- and told me ‘It’s about time we get this done as a country.’ He was bringing it to cabinet to see what could be done.

A few days go by, and Vic texts me, ‘It’s Done! A member will be reading a motion of support by the fall when there’s room in the schedule.’ I was very happy to see the government supporting. I go to bed.

The next morning, I get a text.

“Mike, this is moving really fast. The Premier wants this at the top of the list. Can you be here tomorrow for 9 am?”

A big thanks to every member of the Ontario Legislature who got up and spoke today. Members from EVERY PARTY spoke with one voice. If we as a country get things wrong, we as a country should make things right.”