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Edmonton Prepares to Honor 80th Anniversary of Canada's Liberation of the Netherlands

A commemorative ceremony at Light Horse Park will feature speeches, veterans, and Dutch-Canadian community leaders, reflecting on the enduring bond forged during WWII.

This photograph shows a picture of a fallen soldier at a grave during preparations for a memorial ceremony at the Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands on May 1 2025, to commemorate 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Netherlands. Photo by ROB ENGELAAR / ANP / AFP) / Netherlands OUT
Dutch citizens – delirious with joy – mob an armoured vehicle carrying members of the First Canadian Army during the Liberation of Holland, which began in September, 1944 and concluded with the push into Nazi Germany in May, 1945.
A bell is rung at the same time as a bell rings in the Netherlands during a ceremony to unveil a statue of Anne Frank at Light Horse Park in Edmonton, on Sunday, Aug. 8, 2021. The statue was installed by the Dutch Canadian Club as part of their 75th Liberation Project.

Overview

  • The Canadian Army liberated the Netherlands from German occupation between September 1944 and May 1945, with over 7,600 Canadian soldiers sacrificing their lives.
  • The liberation campaign fostered a lasting bond between Canada and the Netherlands, leading to postwar immigration and annual commemorations of the event.
  • On Sunday, Edmonton’s Light Horse Park will host a ceremony marking the 80th anniversary, organized by local Dutch-Canadian groups, the Netherlands Consulate, and military representatives.
  • The event will feature speeches by Lt.-Gov. Salma Lakhani and appearances by 99-year-old veteran Marty Jones and Dutch wartime child Sid Van Der Meulen.
  • Dutch children continue to honor the liberation by learning about the Canadian Army’s role and tending Canadian soldiers’ graves annually, underscoring the enduring gratitude of the Netherlands.