The Save Juno Beach campaign is citizen-driven - run by friends and proud supporters of the Juno Beach Centre in Normandy. Any donations go directly to the Juno Beach Centre Association (JBCA). It is a Canadian non-profit charitable corporation that owns and operates the Juno Beach Centre in Normandy. Its purpose is: to provide a tangible and fitting memorial to Canada’s participation in the Second World War; to remember and commemorate the sacrifices made by all Canadians who were part of the Allied victory in all theatres of war and at home and; educate adults and children of today and future generations about the role of Canada in preserving the freedoms we are privileged to enjoy today.

The CMEA has agreed to inform our members of the situation and have re-printed their appeal here.

“Lest We Forget“ must be more than just words

A group of Canadians are working to stop a proposed development of seaside condominiums at Juno Beach in France. Save Juno Beach is a campaign to pressure the federal government to intervene with France and to create awareness of the issue with Canadians.

More than 14,000 Canadian soldiers landed or parachuted into France on D-Day. The soldiers who seized Juno Beach showed an extraordinary example of Canadian military skill, reinforced by countless acts of personal courage. There were 1,096 Canadian casualties that day, including 381 killed.

A questionable municipal land deal has turned over a large portion of Juno Beach to developers who plan to build 70 seaside condos on the site of Canada's D-Day landings close to the Juno Beach Centre, Canada’s Second World War museum.

The Juno Beach Centre has been fighting back over the past two years, but attempts to negotiate with the developer have failed. Two years of litigation — which have financially impacted the Juno Beach Centre — have not yet led to a resolution. French authorities are looking the other way and the developer, despite further court actions, may have shovels in the ground within weeks. The legacy that our veterans built for future generations, and the sanctity of the D-Day landing, are at severe risk.

Save Juno Beach organizer, Cindy Clegg, says building condos on the battlefield is an enormous insult to the memory of the incredible soldiers who volunteered and conquered their fear to liberate a country and a continent on that day.

“Just days into the campaign, thousands of Canadians have already emailed their Members of Parliament through our website,” comments Clegg. “Every letter sent encourages the Government of Canada to step in and pressure their French counterparts to repeal the decision to build these condominiums.”

In the meantime, the Juno Beach Centre Association needs donations to continue the fight and ensure that Juno Beach remains a place to meditate upon and remember the sacrifice that was made there for freedom. There should always be a physical place to commemorate the lives of all Canadians who were part of the Allied victory in all theatres of war, and about the role Canada played on D-Day in preserving the freedoms we are privileged to enjoy today.

Please join the fight.

Go to 

EN: https://www.savejunobeach.ca/ and write to your Member of Parliament.

FR: https://www.sauvezlaplagejuno.ca/ et écrivez à votre député

Email: info@savejunobeach.ca

https://twitter.com/SaveJunoBeach

https://www.facebook.com/SaveJunoBeach

CMEA Editorial Staff:

See also these articles on this topic:

Legion Magazine: French developer plans condo complex on Juno Beach

CTV News:  Canadians Campaign to Stop Condo Development at D-Day Landing Site