Canadians are marking Remembrance Day with events across the country honouring veterans who served in war and those who sacrificed their lives serving the nation.
In the capital, Ottawa, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Governor General Mary Simon attended an annual ceremony at the National War Memorial on Monday morning.
Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Veterans Affairs Ginette Petitpas Taylor and Gen. Jennie Carignan, Canada’s chief of defence staff, were also in attendance.
Trudeau said in a statement that paying tribute to those who have served the nation on Remembrance Day is not just a tradition but an obligation.
“Today, we honour the Canadians who have served and defended our country. We share their stories of undaunted bravery. We remember.”
“Canadian Armed Forces members continue to serve to this day – during wildfires and floods, in remote search and rescues, training our Ukrainian friends, and standing guard for our country and continent,” Trudeau said.
“When our friends and Allies see the Maple Leaf emblazoned on a uniform, they see a legacy of courage that has kept the world safe and prosperous.”
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau place a wreath at a Remembrance Day ceremony at the National War Memorial in Ottawa on Monday.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
This year’s Silver Cross Mother, Maureen Anderson from New Brunswick, whose two sons, Sgt. Ron Anderson and Sgt. Ryan Anderson, both served in Afghanistan, also attended the ceremony in Ottawa.
Anderson, whose sons both died after a battle with post-traumatic stress disorder, represented the mothers left behind by all service members killed in the line of duty.
In a recent interview with Global News, Maureen said being chosen as the Legion’s 2024 National Silver Cross Mother has been overwhelming, but also a great honour.
In her Remembrance Day message, Simon said: “We commend our veterans and members of the Canadian Armed Forces for their steadfast bravery and deep sense of duty, which have earned them the highest respect of our nation and our allies worldwide.”
“As we take a moment to reflect and remember, let us learn from the lessons of the past and work towards a future of peace and understanding. To those who have fallen, Canada remembers.”
Gov. Gen. Mary Simon arrives at a Remembrance Day ceremony at the National War Memorial in Ottawa on Monday.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
This year’s event in Ottawa featured a full Veterans’ March, Last Post, a 21-gun salute, and wreath placements. A two-minutes of silence was observed at 11 a.m. Eastern.
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The ceremony also included a special fly-past of vintage aircraft, celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Air Force.
Canadian fighter jets perform a fly past at a Remembrance Day ceremony at the National War Memorial in Ottawa on Monday.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Canadian Armed Forces members march in a parade to a Remembrance Day ceremony at the National War Memorial in Ottawa on Monday.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Gen. Jennie Carignan, who became Canada’s first female chief of defence staff earlier this year, said Remembrance Day was a time to reflect and be grateful for the services of our predecessors.
“We are standing on the shoulders of many, many other great Canadians who have served prior to us and have given so much in defence of Canada and Canadians,” she told Global News’ Mercedes Stephenson at the Ottawa ceremony.
Carignan said the Canadian military is “undergoing sustained transformation” with recruitment as the main priority.
“We need to make sure that we go back to our full complement of people to be able again, to onboard all of these capabilities that are coming our way,” she said.
Opposition leaders also issued statements, paying tribute to Canadian veterans and current members of the Canadian Armed Forces.
“We honour and salute our living veterans of all conflicts, including the many who returned with wounds seen and unseen,” Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said.
“And we recall the spirit of integrity, duty and patriotism that has motivated brave Canadians in every time and place. The torch is ours to hold it high.”
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said that “there’s still a lot of work to do to make sure that Canada’s veterans get the respect and dignity they deserve.”
“For me, respecting veterans includes ensuring they have the trauma-informed care, health care, mental health care, pensions and supportive services they deserve, as soon as they need them,” he said in a statement.
— with files from The Canadian Press
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