Trudeau says democracy ‘still under threat’

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, and Prince William were among the dignitaries present at Juno Beach, where flags bearing the Maple Leaf fluttered gently in the breeze. In the front row of a crowd of thousands were 13 Canadian veterans, the oldest being 104 years old, who had survived the war effort on the same beach decades ago.

“There are no words to describe the immensity of the debt we owe you,” Trudeau told the veterans in his address, acknowledging the significant role Canada played in the Allied effort. Behind him, the calm waters of the English Channel and a navy ship offshore created a poignant backdrop, with a sand dune covered in wild roses and grasses.

Trudeau used the occasion to issue a warning: “Our way of life didn’t happen by accident, and it won’t continue without effort. Democracy is still under threat today. It is threatened by aggressors who want to redraw borders, demagoguery, misinformation, disinformation, and foreign interference.” He emphasized the importance of standing up for democracy daily, in honor of the veterans who sacrificed for our collective freedom.

French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal echoed these sentiments, warning against submission and underscoring the ongoing need to protect democratic values.

The ceremony paid tribute to the 160,000 Allied troops who landed on the beaches 80 years ago, marking the beginning of the end of the Second World War. On June 6, 1944, 4,414 Allied troops, including 381 Canadians, were killed on the first day of the invasion. This marked the start of the bloody 77-day Battle of Normandy and the Allied liberation of France.

Prince William, speaking at the ceremony, described D-Day as the most ambitious campaign in military history. “It came at a heavy cost,” he said, reflecting on the enormous toll: 73,000 Allied forces were killed and 153,000 wounded. Additionally, around 20,000 French civilians lost their lives, many due to Allied bombings of French villages and cities. Historians estimate about 22,000 German soldiers are buried around Normandy, with between 4,000 and 9,000 killed, wounded, or missing during the D-Day invasion alone.

The ceremony underscored the importance of remembering the sacrifices made and the ongoing effort required to protect the freedoms secured by those who fought on D-Day.