October 23, 2001 - The dedication of the Spanish Civil War Monument in Ottawa on October 21 ignored the legal prohibition against the 1,500 soldiers who made their way to Europe to fight on the Government side in the Spanish Civil War. Mackenzie King had forced through the Foreign Enlistment Act which made it a criminal offense for any Canadian to fight for a country "unfriendly" to Canada. The CBC-TV production last Sunday, A People's History, explained his real reason – that he was afraid of Canada becoming involved in another international war, with the spectre of conscription.

The fascist armies of Generalissimo Franco overthrew the Spanish Government with the aid of Mussolini and Hitler. More than half of these brave volunteers never returned to Canada. Those that did were not prosecuted because Justice Minister Ernest Lapointe stated that it was impossible to determine which side was "unfriendly" to Canadians. (See A Military History of Canada by Desmond Morton.)

This remarkable monument includes the name of Shorty Keenan - a neighbour in Winnipeg - who left the Government work camp, where he was earning 20 cents a day and went to Spain with his two brothers. Shorty was killed by a German Stuka Bomber. His brothers, along with about 600 other Canadians, were brought back to Canada through a gift by the Industrialist Garfield Weston and Matthew Halton, Sr.

Many misguided Canadians thought they were communists. The Keenan family - as Irish as they come - were strong Catholics without a Communist bone in their bodies.

As Chairman of the National Council of Veteran Associations (39 organizations) I was proud to stand beside Governor General at the unveiling Saturday. There were no Government officials on hand, except National Capital Commission Chairman Marcel Beaudry, who authorized permanent use of the Green Island Park Site.

The important point is that the Mac-Paps (who never received a penny in pension or allowances) now have their recognition. Many did re-enlist in the Canadian Forces in the Second World War.

Sincerely,

Cliff Chadderton, CC, O.Ont., OStJ, CLJ, CAE, DCL, LLD
Chairman, National Council of Veteran Associations in Canada