Police in Banff have opened a formal investigation into the apparent theft of bronze plaques commemorating the internment of thousands of Ukrainian and other Eastern European Canadians during the First World War, pledging to bring the full weight of the institution to bear on the case.

"We take this very seriously," said a spokesperson, who confirmed that the disappearance of a memorial to people detained without charge, stripped of property, and forced into labour had been escalated to a priority file. "Whoever did this deserves due process, a fair hearing, and the presumption of innocence — which, we want to be clear, is a thing we believe in and have always believed in."

The plaques, unveiled in 1995 by the Ukrainian Canadian Civil Liberties Association, had for nearly three decades quietly informed visitors that the surrounding mountains were once the site of a camp where the state imprisoned people it had decided were suspicious on the basis of where they were born. Officials noted that the plaques were now themselves missing, a detail several historians described as "on the nose."

"We will leave no stone unturned," said a spokesperson, standing beside the empty plinth where a stone explaining exactly this had been turned over and carried away. Investigators added that they were pursuing "all persons of interest," though they declined to confirm whether nationality would factor into the list, calling the question "a different era" and "frankly hurtful."

The province issued a brief statement praising the swift response, noting that Alberta's commitment to remembering historical injustice remains "absolute, provided the remembering does not require additional funding, signage, or the word 'systemic.'" A spokesperson clarified that the government's interest in the case was purely about the bronze, which is valuable, and not about the camp, which is settled.

As of press time, police had recovered no plaques but had successfully reminded the public that an internment camp existed, an act of remembrance officers described as "unintentional" and "something we'd prefer not to dwell on."