Mission

Building the Future, Informed by the Past

The Vimy Foundation is a leading voice on the First World War in Canada.

The Foundation works to preserve and promote Canada’s ongoing legacy of leadership as symbolised by the First World War victory at Vimy Ridge in April 1917, a milestone where Canada came of age and was recognised on the world stage.

The Vimy Foundation’s actions are informed by our commitment to three strategic pillars. 

  • Leadership – shaping informed and engaged leaders of tomorrow 
  • Legacy – evolving our connection to our First World War heritage 
  • Longevity – delivering on a commitment to maintaining operational excellence

The Foundation carries out its mission by:

  • Spreading awareness through its educational programs, both domestic and overseas;
  • Spreading awareness through distributing commemorative items such as Vimy pins and Pilgrimage medals; and
  • Spreading awareness through promoting greater recognition of April 9th as Vimy Day.

To date, we have educated thousands of young Canadians on our First World War history. We have also successfully lobbied for:

  • The Government to hold the public commemoration for the last surviving First World War soldier on Vimy Day 2011;
  • The Vimy Memorial to be placed on the new $20 bill;
  • The creation of Vimy Place in Notre-Dame-de-Grâce Park in Montreal;
  • Governments across the country to lower their flags on Vimy Ridge Day;
  • Successfully hosted gala events across the country celebrating Vimy Ridge Day;
  • Commemorative events for the 100th Anniversary of the Battle in 2017; and
  • The building of the Vimy Visitor Education Centre on the site of the Vimy Memorial, which opened in April 2017.

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.

To promote Vimy Ridge Day, the Foundation also encourages Canadians to wear a Vimy medal or pin on April 9th each year, and is supporting commemorative events each April. The Foundation also  helped organize and promote commemoration events for the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge in 2017. займ на карту онлайн