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Nipissing-Timiskaming MP Pauline Rochefort read the Military Honours Review petition into the record at the House of Commons in Ottawa on Wednesday. Its goal is to get worthy veterans Canada’s highest military award
Published Apr 17, 2026 • Last updated 17 hours ago • 2 minute read
Mike Harrison and Nipissing-Timiskaming MP Pauline Rochefort in Ottawa celebrating the reading of the Military Honours Review petition. Photo by SuppliedArticle content
Jess Larochelle got his day in Ottawa on Wednesday. His supporters hope it will lead to a Victoria Cross for Larochelle’s heroism in Afghanistan 20 years ago.
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Nipissing-Timiskaming MP Pauline Rochefort read a petition, dubbed the “Military Honours Review petition”, before the House of Commons.
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The purpose of this petition is to create a committee, free of the government, to determine, case by case, the worthiness of military valour in regards to awarding a Victoria Cross.
Rochefort released this statement after the event was completed in the nation’s capital:
“It was a moving day in Ottawa as soldiers who served in Afghanistan, and many military dignitaries with a connection to the honours already bestowed upon Restoule’s Jess Larochelle, gathered in Ottawa. Among the guests of honour were Jess’s mother Anna and brother Andrew, who received a standing ovation at the day’s luncheon.
“As petition e-6661 was read before the House of Commons, Prime Minister Mark Carney and Minister of National Defence David McGuinty stood and acknowledged the Larochelle family and the invited veterans in the gallery.”
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The statement continued with Rochefort describing what will come next. The Nipissing-Timiskaming MP thinks there is momentum towards getting this done.
“Overall, at events held during the day, there appeared to be receptivity to the formation of an independent review process for the late Private Larochelle and for others who acted with valour,” says Rochefort.
Canadians were awarded Victoria Cross medals in the Boer War and the First and Second World Wars through Britain, as Canada is part of the Commonwealth.
Canada got its own version of the Victoria Cross in 1993 but haven’t awarded a single one.
Friends of Larochelle, who died in 2023, have been fighting for years to get him that level of recognition. Mike Harrison, an Afghanistan veteran himself, was in Ottawa to see the petition presentation in person. Harrison also attended a press conference where Rochefort talked about Larochelle and his heroics.
“Countless battles, countless acts of heroism, and they (the government of Canada) haven’t done it. We believe it has been a bureaucratic process that has gotten in the way of awarding this,” says Harrison.
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“We gave out the Victoria Cross in previous wars; who do we have that met that standard? What we are asking them to do is look at it (past cases), review and perhaps say, ‘Maybe we got it wrong.’ We believe that there is no logical person that goes through this process and finds at least 10 or 15 people in the last 100 years that deserve it and didn’t get the medal,” says Harrison.
He called it a “beautiful day” saying there were about 30 veterans and war widows on hand for the reading.
Harrison also had praise for MP Rochefort after she read the petition in parliament.
“She did an excellent job, spoke very clearly, and we were all proud in having her represent us. It puts the government on notice and they have 45 days to respond to our petition,” says Harrison, who adds that various provincial governments are on board with this recognition process.
“We have Ontario, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia on board. Newfoundland and Alberta have indicated they will support this, as well hundreds of towns, villages (community) associations,” remarked Harrison, adding, “It is the will of the Canadian people to get this done.”
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