The importance of Vimy Ridge hasn’t faded

There should be no mistake of the fighting spirit of either Canada or the rest of the NATO nations as we hear rhetoric from south of the border questioning the value of the alliance.

Vimy Day on April 9 is also a time to think about Canada’s achievements and how western allies have worked together for the past 80 years to keep democracy safe, writes Tom MacGregor. Photograph courtesy of Flickr/abac077

Opinion

BY TOM MACGREGOR

April 8, 2026

April 9 is Vimy Day in Canada. The day commemorates the First World War battle that began on April 9, 1917, when the Canadian Corps defied expectations and captured the German stronghold of Vimy Ridge in France. Many say it was the battle in which Canada came of age.

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