Veterans minister says she's 'appalled' by vandalism at Vimy memorial in France

Canada's veteran affairs minister is condemning the vandalization of the Canadian National Vimy Memorial in northern France.

The monument bears the names of thousands of Canadian soldiers who died in the First World War.

Veterans Affairs Minister Ginette Petitpas Taylor released a statement Wednesday condemning the vandalism.

"I was appalled to hear of the vandalism that took place at the Canadian National Vimy Memorial," the minister said in the statement.

"I strongly condemn this and all reprehensible acts of vandalism against cenotaphs, war memorials and other landmarks built to remember and honour the sacrifices made by Canadians in the name of peace."

A spokesperson from Petitpas Taylor's office said an employee of the Vimy Memorial, which is maintained byVeterans Affairs Canada,spotted a person scrawling graffiti on Tuesday at about 9 p.m. local time. The individualran away.

Canadian officials are in contact with French authorities to aid in the investigation, Petitpas Taylor said in her statement. The graffiti will be removed as soon as possible, she added.

Conservative veterans affairs critic Blake Richards and the party's Quebec lieutenant Pierre Paul-Hus released a joint statement Thursday saying they were "shocked and disturbed" by the vandalism.

"This abhorrent act is an affront to the thousands of Canadians who made the ultimate sacrifice at Vimy Ridge in the service of Canada," the statement said.