Canada Marks Remembrance Day on November 11

On this 11th day of the month of November, Canadians once again took a moment to honour all those who made the ultimate sacrifice and died at war. It has been the case since the First World War to honour armed forces members who have died in the line of duty.

Today, being a public holiday and a day off for the general population, schools and most businesses, ceremonies were held at capitals, especially in Ottawa to remember the lost soldiers.

In a public statement, Canada’s Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, said  that “Today, we honour the women and men who served, and continue to serve our country, in times of war, conflict, and peace.” 

“We pause to remember their brave sacrifices, and acknowledge a debt we can never repay. We pay tribute to those who have lost their lives, and those who have been physically or mentally scarred by their service, as well as their family members and loved ones,” the Prime Minister said.

He recognized that more than 2.3 million Canadians have served in uniform since Confederation, and more than 120,000 made the ultimate sacrifice. 

Trudeau said that “Thanks to their selflessness, dedication, and bravery, members of our military and police have been defending freedom, peace, and democracy – the values that we cherish deeply within our hearts.”

The aknowledged that “Canadians have also participated in international peacekeeping operations, during which approximately 130 gave their lives, and other military missions to protect the rights of others around the world, and our way of life – these heroes embody the very best of what it means to be Canadian.”

Underlining the importance of poppies worn by Canadians from coast to coast in the days leading up to Remembrance Day, Trudeau noted that “this year also marks the 100th anniversary of the Remembrance Poppy in Canada.”

The Prime Minister said that “John McCrae's poem 'In Flanders Fields' had inspired Madame Anna Guérin of France to adopt the distribution of the poppy on the anniversary of the Armistice agreement, which ended the First World War in 1918.”

He added that “this was her way to honour the war dead, and to help raise support funds for those who had been impacted by the conflict.”

He underlined that “in July 1921, the Great War Veterans' Association – the precursor to the Royal Canadian Legion – adopted the poppy as the flower of Remembrance. One hundred years later, Anna Guérin's vision lives on – the poppy still honours its pledge as an unmistakable symbol of Remembrance.”

He encouraged all Canadians to observe two minutes of silence to pay tribute to all who have fallen. He encouraged everyone to wear “red poppies close to our hearts, solemnly reflecting, and thinking about those who served so courageously to keep us safe, and gave their lives in service of a better Canada – they have our respect, thanks, and heartfelt gratitude.”