The Conservative Member of Parliament for Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo says he condemns the actions of protestors who desecrated the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Ottawa over the weekend.

Frank Caputo, who is the critic for Veterans Affairs, made that comment in the House of Commons on Monday, Jan. 31, noting he was “horrified” by the actions of the few people responsible, saying they “missed a clear point.”

“I condemn these actions unequivocally. The unknown solider and all of those who served for this country served so that we can have the very freedoms we enjoy today, like the right to peaceful assembly and the right to free speech. This is why the use of Nazi and other racialized symbolism is so repugnant,” he said.

“Our soldiers fought against those things, both literally and metaphorically so that we, as Canadians, could be free. That freedom was abused by the actions of a few. For those who laid flowers at the tomb and at the Terry Fox statue, thank you. For those who desecrated sacred places this weekend, shame on you.”

Caputo also noted in his speech that he visited the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier this morning, and said a prayer “to beg forgiveness for any time we, as Canadians, have forgotten that freedom wasn’t free.”

Police in Ottawa say Saturday’s incidents at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, as well as the Terry Fox monument, are being investigated. The incidents also led to police place concrete barriers around the National War Memorial to keep vehicles away from the cenotaph after several vehicles were seen parked there before being moved by police.

“I am sickened to see protesters dance on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and desecrate the National War Memorial,” said Gen. Wayne Eyre in a tweet. “Generations of Canadians have fought and died for our rights, including free speech, but not this. Those involved should hang their heads in shame.”

Royal Canadian Legion President, Bruce Julian, also condemned the actions of protestors.

“They jumped on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and parked vehicles on the surrounding grounds. This sacred memorial site commemorates those who fought and fell for the very freedoms that allow people in Canada the right to protest peacefully,” he said. “We are dismayed and saddened by this overt lack of respect.”

Caputo will be a guest on the NL Morning News with Jeff Andreas at 6:40 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 1.

The people who disrespected and desecrated the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier this weekend missed a clear point.

All those who served for this country served so that we could have the very freedoms we enjoy today. #CanadaRemembers #Cdnpoli #Kamloops #Thompson #Cariboo pic.twitter.com/cGhBkFT96t

— Frank Caputo MP (@FrankCaputoKTC) January 31, 2022